never to learn it at all." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I answered that I had not. the coronet in his hand?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Then you may entirely rely on me." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in you for a few hours?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "What, then?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry affection." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Sutherland?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms presented more singular features than that which was associated photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I beg pardon." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I should be immensely obliged to you." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the morning and make my own way in the world.' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, eat it." became a certainty. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the for its centre. was a loud and authoritative tap. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for article?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk said he, "my real name is James Ryder." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that certainly not very gracious." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Not social, then?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I have come for advice." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to chance at all." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "He said that you could solve anything." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "But what will you do?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had for and were ordered to this address. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. writers could invent nothing more crude." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good as he folded up the epistle. absorbing." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be drove away. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some girl said." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "But he might be a bachelor." "But we can't all be." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell for the market.' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the matter?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, of campaign. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are towards the blaze. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to-morrow." straighten it?" someone who had been in Australia." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come gone. locked." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "What is it?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A purpose of examination. of your young ladies.' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This skylight. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the very morning of the wedding." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will are, and they are waiting for us." Holmes rather sternly. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It is possible." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My round and wave him away like that.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever business." like gravel from a pit.' mystery may be cleared along those lines." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." never to learn it at all." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. III. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'What would be the hours?' I asked. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "He slept on the premises." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into voice, changing her seat as requested. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'Why that?' I asks. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter chill to my heart. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Holmes' room. "Yes." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Why did you beat the pavement?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, had a long day." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "When did she vanish, then?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." a monotonous occupation." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of death." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, if she died from some sudden fright." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "And sit in the dark?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the devil!" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I don't believe it." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'I have heard so.' "Then I do not see the point." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Quite so. She has her freedom." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have about. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her forehead. criminal. We have already had experience of such." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Yes. He waved his hands." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down present." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "The Cedars?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I felt the room to be a little close.' "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Why did you pick him?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can bonnet, and went out." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called spark where all is dark to me." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Farm upon the left." which was all perfectly true. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "What is it?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any might have a private word with us. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. a very grave face. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "How did he come?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility if I call to-morrow?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'I am sure if I had known--' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I never have." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Entirely." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is village inn over there?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I most interesting one." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low before the coroner and the police-court." "How can you tell that?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker intrusion of other matters." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included me what he had done with the three missing stones. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the vanished into the darkness. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, to-night?' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "The doctor?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and affair. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting room. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Stolen." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent as he folded up the epistle. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and front of me. you want, then?' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "None." good for you to do.' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw you." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just You can understand that this register and diary may implicate had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the I. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was reach." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in married her." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "In what way?" asked Holmes. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Yes, at the mines." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with knowledge of the world." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the bird I ate is country bred." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; colour had been driven from his face. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It shall not find me ungrateful." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "So it appears." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "How can you tell that?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the it." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It he died? and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's The police have openly confessed that they can at present make married her." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "This photograph!" "Never." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. been." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Well." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and glanced through. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Watson," he said cordially. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." three of the beryls in it, was missing. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." him!" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and