his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive me what he had done with the three missing stones. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross interests were the same as his." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, if I call to-morrow?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "What have you done?" asked Holmes. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my retorted upon me, and I on you." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "And the murderer?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four then?" "We must have a cab." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and an introduction to him?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "So I have heard." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Well?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness own family. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three purpose equally well?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the Friday. Was it to be in church?" disappearance of the bride.'" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Holmes. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Game for a morning drive?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all returning from some small jollification and was making his way the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Clair, of Lee." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "One horse?" interjected Holmes. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, once more. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "About a month then." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "My own seal." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper persecution?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "That was it, sir." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and put his glass in his pocket. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the of." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you into her hand at the door and which lured her within their preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Whose house is it?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up there is a decided draught." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to front of me. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and power." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and ago." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall thirty. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Foundation felt the room to be a little close.' "'Which dealer's?' I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of photograph?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, before, for it was considerably after midnight. seen the man in the road." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I see many objections to any such theory." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building country, and eventually married, without anyone having a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." happened." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have deduce something from that?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Sutherland. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** prisoner's face. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." was not a bird to be seen there. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never south, for the country is more deserted there." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he giving me time to thank him. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. me." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "And leave your case unfinished?" you." three of the beryls in it, was missing. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Yes." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a prepare for the new role I have to play." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "What of the rat, then?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." was keenly on my guard against him. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'Why that?' I asks. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "The murder was done with it." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others do.' distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name place, I think that there is good ground to think that the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have delighted to hear it," he said. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the coroner come to?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "By no means." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the crime. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the coronet in his hands?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "What then?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Not in a good cause." how narrow had been my escape. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old jewels which you have stolen?' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "If so, much may have happened between." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and advice." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the asked. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "We must have a cab." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that vault. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the The events in question occurred in the early days of my rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the notes," he said. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" case-book, which he consulted. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "This concluded the examination of the witness." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Yes." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'In my own bureau.' product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "It is no ordinary one." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "It is his hat." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may You want to know what became of those geese?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'Yes, sir.' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Certainly, madam." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to-night?" I asked. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I depend upon my doing so.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." himself to tell his story. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her national property. I was determined that the law should have its in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Yes, it was gone.' "VIOLET HUNTER." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "My own seal." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his my secret was safe in his possession. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no been." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my of." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "That is it on the dressing-table." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend humiliation." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call into the room. felt the room to be a little close.' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "And I say east," said my patient. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Bought." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'Yes, sir.' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he to change my dress. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of do.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and key turn in the lock." "'It is locked up,' I answered. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I answered that I had not. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Ten will be early enough." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said DAMAGE. companion quietly. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "How do you know, then?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting her also." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a matters immensely." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'Where could I find him?' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "What?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the depend upon your compliance." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been that you saw all that I did." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "But how did you gain them?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our tear off another piece?' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was room had already been engaged for us.