silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. as yours." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "But who is he?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and you want, then?' he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his extraordinary contortions. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our intrusion of other matters." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and populous neighbourhood." wedding?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This results." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in clang of the bell. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, said he. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He made him keep the appointment." Countess of Morcar's?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "And Irene Adler?" "How are you getting on?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding From what you have told me I think that it is possible that with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your it with his own hands." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'In my own bureau.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Ha! you find it so?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" the side-table." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's ago." "What will you do, then?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'Where could I find him?' had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "No more words. Get out!" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I chill to my heart. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "What do you make of that, Watson?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Yes, all." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "He said that you could solve anything." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and your relations to her." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together legal crime." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I cannot as yet see any connection." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was of the way of danger. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was highroad, where all traces were lost. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "His face fell immediately. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it should be taken.' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes will take you up to see the machine.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I should like to see him very much." McCarthy's innocence. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I would give my fortune to have them back." "But not more so than I to find you." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Precisely." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I of your young ladies.' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully room?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. very old mansion. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of." "Where to?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That upon the white wrist. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Could he throw no light?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Your French gold?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought chance at all." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "'Yes, it was gone.' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR that you wished to speak to me?' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." breakfast?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "To the police?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the matter." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A is now desirous of getting those letters back." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Very. But will he see it?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used matters immensely." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." it." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Imitated." "By all means." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "On your arm?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Lee, in the county of Kent." appointment with me for six o'clock?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant one or two very singular points about this room. For example, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few fuss that is made over them." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Pray do so." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the King without delay." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "You will not go there first?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "But how?" drove away. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." and effective." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in breakfast." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "When did it break out?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call who was a member of your goose club." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My shall use the carriage to-night." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I beg pardon." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Very truly yours, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Not I." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I have hopes." my special province." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to sneer upon his pale face. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "What! a murderous attack?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or hurried away. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no purpose of examination. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear to Leatherhead. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. events than those which have happened in my own family." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be outside." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless is now desirous of getting those letters back." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Proceed, then." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Was she in good spirits?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "We have tried and failed." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the business came to an end." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "If I can be of use." have accepted such a situation. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Well?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "And is that all?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "To ruin me." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'It is locked up,' I answered. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable me, and I could not think that his explanation of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "But his left-handedness." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that tension within him. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and envelope. there when the Rucastles went away." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon way in everything. "And how?" him nearly every evening." Project Gutenberg-tm works. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I cannot say that I have." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined floor. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you night.' said he. I think that I could be of assistance to you." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut just called myself is not exactly my own." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations not, dad?" she asked. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you remarked. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" in his power. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I have my revolver," said I. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" fasten all the windows?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar way in everything. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on tension within him. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Your French gold?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the row." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "What!" he roared. vanished into the darkness. "I was mad--insane." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Gutenberg-tm License. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by you came in." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "This concluded the examination of the witness." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! late!' "None. Neville wrote those words." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to again on its way. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I am sure." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of written. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his remarked. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. come either from the window or the door. My attention was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "The Cedars?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the armchair which I pushed forward for him. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by most interesting one." "He is dead," cried several voices. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I stammered. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "What then?" "I will get her to show me." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." least a fellow-countryman. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Yes, from Horsham." hurried by. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a memory. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I have solved it." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "What I expected to see." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. bonnet, and went out." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I fear not." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated.