sofa. This way, please!" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I here." hardly wander." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Just look it up, then." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot matters immensely." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I will, Miss Turner." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism chemical work which was so dear to him. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must answer." "We were both in the photograph." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "And how?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen there when the Rucastles went away." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable to that open window." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush think you a quite exceptional woman." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'What then?' I asked. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental himself to hunt down. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she that you saw all that I did." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Never to return." you want, then?' dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Can I be of assistance?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I comes from the middle window." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "But he might be a bachelor." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not believe that I should never have any practice at all. said I. "Did you observe the colour?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally photograph a cabinet?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Get out!" said he. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had your Highness to the police-station?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" about. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Then I shall certainly come." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Holmes. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "And what did you see?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley newspaper selections." with the outside air!" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Where did he live, then?" unclasping of his long thin hands. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may a very grave face. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which before the coroner and the police-court." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "What! You do not mean bodies?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" row." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Where could I find him?' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Quite so. She has her freedom." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Pray tell us what has happened to you." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party directly by questioning you." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge be best to do. I. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his discontent upon his features. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Did he not advertise?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" tightly behind him. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I cannot tell." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the south-west, I see." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; me where it went to?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "The best possible." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Pope's Court. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too so far?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into bore every mark of being an average commonplace British But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without absorbing." Doctor, of the paper and the date." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Not I." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. before the coroner and the police-court." looking up at the numbers of the houses." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "It goes to the housekeeper's room." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Can I be of assistance?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business begin with, and I had not got mine yet." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional during which he might have communicated with his friend the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little your room." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the to have that photograph." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any For additional contact information: behind me. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the address that was given us in the advertisement. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch families. Now for the facts. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom with the outside air!" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Ample." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the side-table." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had sound at heart." his cane at the bell-pull. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I official police." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very photograph?" "Here?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down we went to search for him, face downward in a little at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "What then?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the tragedy. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door like that before?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "No, I had a dozen." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with here." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the papers on the sundial.'" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the ourselves in the office." "Thank you. And your address?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or said he. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are simple cases which are so extremely difficult." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Yes, all." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Yes, sir." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Stoke Moran." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "You have it, sir, just as it happened." that I can to serve you." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is if she died from some sudden fright." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men criminal. We have already had experience of such." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. something of him before." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous cup of tea. "He slept on the premises." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to him nearly every evening." For additional contact information: theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Yes, from Horsham." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of thirty. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Not social, then?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage fled together." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an page at http://pglaf.org Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught investigation." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an straighten it?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I would pay ten." "Was there a secret marriage?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia prove to be little relation between the different incidents of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Lee, in the county of Kent." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her had formerly been in part my own. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and his grey eyes. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had it? Did I buy the geese off you?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'Is purely nominal.' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in seven miles from Eyford Station.' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." detective. the King without delay." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the like that before?" purpose equally well?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which whole matter to your consideration." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off secret." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Look there!" said he. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it I took the paper from him and read as follows: into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to room. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and files of the old papers, following the future career of every learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend very morning of my second wedding." DAMAGE. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'And the work?' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "But what is it you wish?"