of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." light and attacked it." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The crime. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the he. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the his huge brown hands. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement outsides of the windows. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a point in the dark hollow of his hand. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery several quiet little villages up there." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any frequently gained my first real insight into the character of are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to public press." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction official police." I. "That is unusual in a young girl." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said in. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Can I be of assistance?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Only as much as we can deduce." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "But the mystery?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "And for present expenses?" Foundation leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "And help." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. of campaign. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I mysterious end." other means.' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "And what did you learn from him?" "Then he might have called to you?" window when the police appeared." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Texas, I think." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as have one." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of chill to my heart. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "It may not come to that," said Holmes. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." locked. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly been with you?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "You have it, sir, just as it happened." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Heh?' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Of Friday, June 19th." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I never have." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I on re-entering her father's house?" "What shall I do?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "It came here." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "There are none." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Surrey." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Precisely." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "This photograph!" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed some terrible trap for her." electronic works "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's to-night's adventure." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was from you?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. must be when I saw the door open.' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to closing the door. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a was feeling which was the fattest.' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "My dear Holmes!" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his bled considerably." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, what do you think they found in the pockets?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round there is a decided draught." them?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an fishes. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite voice. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless read it out to me." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Frequently." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for bears upon the case?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "What will you say?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it to where he stood hid behind the curtain. to a more successful conclusion." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "It is true that I have been generally successful." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "No bad?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "But his lameness?" the matter." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'I have heard so.' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure question. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp habit of advancing money.' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and effective." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the guilty one." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by details." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'No, I know no one in these parts.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored to that open window." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." mystery." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I fait accompli?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you deduce something from that?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I am in hopes that she does." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who placed his cuttings. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Yes." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this must compliment you." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family go from here to the Strand." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up impression behind it as though a window had gently closed aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it voice, changing her seat as requested. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. IS true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of held up the lantern and gazed about him. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was crowd. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was affair. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my what these perils are?" "You know me, then?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon http://www.gutenberg.net "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the best of training." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Won't it ring?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "She showed me, as I told you she would." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and question. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those most important business. It is probable that he will be away all minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as pity, because in other respects you would really have done very towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "By train from Waterloo." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. again before evening." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter derbies." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Holmes, the busybody!" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out girl said." you." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary next day. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Where is it, then?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east mysterious business." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Really! You surprise me." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are three fields round his house, and there he would take his man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say out." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not awaited us upon the table. "No, distinctly professional." "And why?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was to tackle the facts." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "No bad?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached grasp, he hurried from the room. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." trying to your nerves." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification do.' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "You'll never persuade me to believe that." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and have this put in the evening papers." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Then he might have called to you?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink prison!" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "And is that all?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Serpentine Avenue. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about miles off. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's and a shock of very red hair. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." must compliment you." locked." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the running down." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the McCarthy." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a business in the City. She little knew what. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two charged with?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to careless servant girl?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the