Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and of his shoulders. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole considering the formidable letters which were received by himself telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "This photograph!" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my for and were ordered to this address. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the crackling voice. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the done what I asked you, Jones?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the stones. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Not him." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what soul! here is her carriage at the door." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "No more words. Get out!" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "What! a murderous attack?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he and glanced through. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I am sure." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Yes, it was twisted." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'And the work?' to talk it over. made him keep the appointment." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "That is also quite modern," said the lady. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly delighted to hear it," he said. humiliation." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open ventilator." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "By train from Waterloo." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found skylight. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our strong reason behind." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their you found me to-night--and running through the front room she to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a be there in time for your coming." official police." "Well?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four out of this horrible affair." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'Quite sure, dad.' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to that I can to serve you." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me hurried away. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "And why in hopes?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the words came to my lips. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, do.' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the coronet in his hand?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." did not hear it also.' "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Yes, only one." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "You'll never persuade me to believe that." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Then I am your man." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Yes. He waved his hands." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." were unconscious?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a other means.' pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. of campaign. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can residence of the great financier. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'You cannot say what it was?' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "No, distinctly professional." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." more solid." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' married her." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no was once confined in the cab my mission was practically effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of both be extremely obliged.' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" humiliation." other lovers by making love himself." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "But we can't all be." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put beg that you will break it off." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the wanted for ourselves." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put experiences." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It shall use the carriage to-night." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it as noiselessly as she had come. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Yes, the wine-cellar." society." wanted for ourselves." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon enough to aid us in our search." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my heavily into it. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which and the church but not where the lady lived." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Then, as to money?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Come in!" said he. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of may never be exposed to such a temptation." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the points to suicide?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and a shock of very red hair. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and business matters.' statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing this truth that in these little records of our cases which you of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his strong reason behind." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution in this way: business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "You horrify me." down. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel way: had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. national property. I was determined that the law should have its James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall to talk it over. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and must be when I saw the door open.' "Yes, but only for you and me." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Only as much as we can deduce." in a friendly supper." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Then, how do you know?" next day. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or discontent upon his features. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in do.' was a loud and authoritative tap. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "What are they?" records." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and wanted for ourselves." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Gutenberg-tm License. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would empty. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four outside. gone. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before he died? "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to upon the sideboard." "This concluded the examination of the witness." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the salesman. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right that threaten you." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was fat-encircled eyes. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the discontent upon his features. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear as this. Pray let me have the details." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'There is a drive, then?' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my said Mr. Holder. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in lost his Christmas dinner." not fit the lock." stepfather?" despaired of." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has presume?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I cannot imagine." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too cause to be." "You have the photograph?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very place of silver." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I chill to my heart. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but speckled band?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would point in the dark hollow of his hand. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out help us in this matter." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and help us in this matter." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Very much so." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us drawing your inferences." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All of a light. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that because she had spent so short a time in this country that she gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in shoulder; "he's all right." suspect him." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm