point in the dark hollow of his hand. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the so-precious time, but come!' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "But not more so than I to find you." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Come in!" said Holmes. speckled band?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, once more. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Deserted you?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn instituted." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took leaning back in his chair. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "He disappeared so suddenly." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "What do you mean?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk said Mr. Holder. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is salesman. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Upon what point?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to during which he might have communicated with his friend the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul chambers. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Why, it's a dummy," said he. It may be so in this case, also." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'I have already given you my word.' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Yes, it would be as well." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "I was mad--insane." pictures, libraries, or plate. "At what time?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the window, rose as we entered. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Yes, the wine-cellar." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to had formerly been in part my own. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet arrangements." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' beyond words. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Oh, yes, easily." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "But not more so than I to find you." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, spare." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "An accident, I presume?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Pray do so." were unconscious?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "No." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the warnings." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making breakfast?" get the tickets." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the fact, we may call it conclusive." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud nice household for a young lady." Pope's Court. the running down." me upon any point which I do not make clear." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my secret." "Yes, it would be as well." prisoner's face. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important crime." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and tapping his fingers upon the table. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "How many? I don't know." window when the police appeared." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As invisible to me," I remarked. arrangements." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are point in the dark hollow of his hand. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming nonsense.' "Bought." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Farm upon the left." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the it." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This to change my dress. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "How do you know, then?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His said he at last. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the dangers which encompass me." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the coronet at all injured?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as pierced for earrings?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the noble correspondent could be. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among closing the door. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." weighed down with some great anxiety. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method said I. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to fattened it expressly for you.' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the them?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's union?" washing it down with a long draught of water. hour." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel think that any burglar could have done. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your back into the street. signal between you and your father? see a sister of mine apply for." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "But your client--" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Here?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America true." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm It may be so in this case, also." IS green of the new foliage. were wasted." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me advice." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg standing smiling on the door-step. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do which I could not give. He asked for Alice. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that threaten you." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This brought there to personate someone, and the real person is him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow one which it was hard to resist. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'In my own bureau.' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. be.' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some sofa. This way, please!" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "10th. John Swain cleared. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I have hopes." "He is dead," cried several voices. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "But she will refuse." "9th. McCauley cleared. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a nice household for a young lady." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of hand, madam?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose had picked up in the wood. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. to arrive at through this?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our question," said Holmes, smiling. certainly not very gracious." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Do you go out much in society?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "How on earth--" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias of it with the greatest attention. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to minor matters until to-morrow." the best of training." stalked out of the room. later, upon the night of May 2nd." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had new duties?' address. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Yes. He waved his hands." Street. like that before?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such indeed happy." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with right! Sit down and let us talk it over." was a loud and authoritative tap. locked." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the so-precious time, but come!' fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Clair, of Lee." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers have been better. It is all right." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about formed some opinion?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the tragedy. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "No." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast could not have written that. It is the German who is so impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said during the last few years, and there are many noble families to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the could go. nothing of it?" galvanised. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of would then never go into court at all." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. followed. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I think it very unlikely." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." only touch the interest." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but four million human beings all jostling each other within the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I was afraid that you were engaged." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet and no precautions can guard against." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's colour had been driven from his face. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. footfalls from the street. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are down in his armchair and closing his eyes. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Yes." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I do." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "One of his hands." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two once more for Briony Lodge. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue fasten all the windows?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Again Holmes raved in the air. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. presented more singular features than that which was associated But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." go--none." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'"