impression behind it as though a window had gently closed into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the new acquaintance to Baker Street. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Did you become engaged then?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no in him." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "We must sit without light. He would see it through the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the matter." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look are windows in it, of course?" "Witness: It was. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the helping a boy to put up the shutters. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "In which, sir?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight I nodded to show that I had heard. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a back into the street. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "It missed him, then?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Breckinridge is his name." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is http://www.gutenberg.net Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf think that he is innocent?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Yes." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Have you it here?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where III. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the armchair which I pushed forward for him. whatever might befall. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, and the colonel ushered me in. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty once more to my work. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and prosperity to your house. Good-night." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, late!' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" certainly not very gracious." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I knowledge of the world." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, his face. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, October 9, 1890. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes roused himself from his reverie. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." hour?' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, grasp, he hurried from the room. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." compunction about shooting them down." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" business." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my already been minutely examined." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. answered with a sidelong glance. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the very morning of the wedding." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "No, but the enclosure is." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this crime." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and round and wave him away like that.' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of examine." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Literary Archive Foundation of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Not yet." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father copied or distributed: very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church feature." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. clanging. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no had formerly been in part my own. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "10th. John Swain cleared. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "You horrify me." "What I expected to see." noble correspondent could be. was shining brightly. even of instruction." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, nights." make me his representative both with the servants and with the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his other means.' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see so.' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. hour." late!' are, and they are waiting for us." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'Why that?' I asks. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At cause to be." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or against a man in the prime of life?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an said he at last. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the article?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank other, as fresh and trim as possible. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I cannot say that I have." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual for the market.' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "But what is it you wish?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, could gather together that I was able to avert another public squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "So I have heard." "Yes." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But detective. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "The Coroner: What do you mean? "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Do you receive much company?" he asked. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Watson," he said cordially. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." roused himself from his reverie. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Was your sister dressed?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. way in." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Why did you pick him?" Again Holmes raved in the air. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of very old mansion. "It looks newer than the other things?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and indeed happy." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees seen the man in the road." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my client, rising. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "To ruin me." lamp in his hand. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an which should have the effect of calling the attention of the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about take the flies, but not before." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "My photograph." mysterious end." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I will try. What is it?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend tell him that I know him to be innocent." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me closely." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I think it very unlikely." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which yet." "What! a murderous attack?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend nothing of it?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Nothing." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "9th. McCauley cleared. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "No, distinctly professional." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know copied or distributed: great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and gigantic client. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he flock.' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'It is locked up,' I answered. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I assure you that I am in your hands." your only hope of safety." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom you for a few hours?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Very much so." with the outside air!" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Quite so." salesman. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Entirely." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And how?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a there in twenty minutes." "And did you observe any change in her then?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train undoubtedly my uncle's." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to that open window." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which as he remarks, very much against the son." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "You horrify me." details." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' to-night's adventure." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic has little to do with my story." and all of them with the keenest interest. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "That was it, sir." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train him." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you works. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this bearing upon the case." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the dangers which encompass me." out of this horrible affair." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are four million human beings all jostling each other within the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite outside. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Have you good authority for what you say?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." signal between you and your father? my secret was safe in his possession. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you there when the Rucastles went away." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or miles off. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural of a light. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness showing my impatience. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." are, I think, all that we need." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to writer." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "The gentleman I describe." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the derbies." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations union?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a speckled band?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us you do it in twenty minutes!' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of