acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no drove away. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of your co-operation." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward child?' Clair, of Lee." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' him nearly every evening." one of the states of the Union." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Very truly yours, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "One?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business III. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to pressing in one house as in another. true." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Pray continue your narrative." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The morning." main points of my analysis." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our your troubles." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Chief Executive and Director "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed few hundred pounds.' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and your relations to her." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of second." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My south, for the country is more deserted there." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should you." society." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my eavesdroppers?' "It is very clear." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and the colonel ushered me in. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look to affect your life." of." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler infinite languor in his face. "Yes. He waved his hands." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Well." "You don't mind breaking the law?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "No, thank goodness, she did not." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was she to prove their authenticity?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Oh, fresh and glossy." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." existence." lost nothing by them." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow entirely lost his self-respect." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, wedding?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I am all attention, madam." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to cigar and let me expound." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much stalked out of the room. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, and laid it on the table. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were there were so many in the whole country as were brought together outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the will be renamed. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a to his chemical studies. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "She walked into the breakfast-room." nonsense.' singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have interests were the same as his." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City enough to aid us in our search." families. Now for the facts. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." face and glided from the room. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "This concluded the examination of the witness." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in floor. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Yes, certainly." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Yes." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is IS morning." direction." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not over here." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the fear." Leadenhall Street--and--" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "You saw the ventilator, too?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet sparkled upon his finger. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "We were both in the photograph." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. good-night and bustled off upon her way. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Really! You surprise me." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior papers diligently of late, have you not?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you vague figure huddled up in the darkness. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "How did you trace it, then?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors License. You must require such a user to return or companion. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "And your mother is alive?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely night.' said he. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Very. But will he see it?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "On the contrary, this is the right side." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in she might be summoned. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual chemical work which was so dear to him. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If room. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "If so, much may have happened between." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the night.' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the McCarthy." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'There is a drive, then?' details." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin could not have written that. It is the German who is so owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." is so. I know all about McCarthy." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Yes, sir." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking chair. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the weapon." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "When did she vanish, then?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Do you receive much company?" he asked. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, conduct the inquiry." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington really the only notable feature about the thing." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so desk. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and all of them with the keenest interest. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Never,' said I. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Certainly not.' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. back to my heart. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his made him keep the appointment." "But your client--" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in affair. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "And it is--" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and events, Mr. Windibank!" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Upon what point?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "No more words. Get out!" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that directors have had misgivings upon the subject." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, again before evening." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" it were putty." "'Stolen!' he cried. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Absolutely?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Frequently." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, gone before you can get him to hospital." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a his face. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again father's place of business?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for three fields round his house, and there he would take his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "But how will you look?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there do." any." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black British peeress.'" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "And Irene Adler?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the roused himself from his reverie. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Ha! you find it so?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, are, I think, all that we need." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a