black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court What do you deduce from it?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "The King of Scandinavia." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Tired-looking or fresh?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. to change my dress. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Count Von Kramm." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I had a long day." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices security.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the persecution?" like that before?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed because she had spent so short a time in this country that she walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I about. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." in a friendly supper." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child DAMAGE. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only late." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the cigars in their mouths. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were sake, don't!" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me His smile broadened. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I never have." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "My photograph." to surprise her." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out my special province." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I have come for advice." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we formed some opinion?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" "About a month then." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "And how did you verify them?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael intrusion of other matters." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small good for you to do.' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Chief Executive and Director earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Witness: It was. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of situation." "He disappeared so suddenly." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Ample." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with seen the man in the road." Doctor, of the paper and the date." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of you in yours." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A appointment with me for six o'clock?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Always." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as death." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Holmes' room. late." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might all?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. straightened it out again. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your empty. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her past. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and is a common subject for conversation. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his carried out of court." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "How do you know, then?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "'It is locked up,' I answered. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." ourselves in the office." bedroom door." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, young Openshaw's." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped little adventures." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a your billet.' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds away to you." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Mrs. Toller serenely. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We to go into your room and bar your shutters?" round and wave him away like that.' within hail.' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, definite end. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Whose house is it?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll it were putty." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what instituted." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed mysterious business." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "My last client of the sort was a king." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness present." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Not him." was keenly on my guard against him. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." in. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your now. It seems that there had been some informality about their sofa. This way, please!" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and capable of preserving a secret.' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Indeed! Whose, then?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'Very good.' mystery." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an which our visitor detailed to us. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" notes," he said. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Doctor, of the paper and the date." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." fait accompli?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his our word." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most late." during which he might have communicated with his friend the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "What?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' client, rising. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. carriage. It was a chestnut." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, unkempt, staring out at me. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears paper in the air. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, definite end. fire. You quite follow me?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew some terrible trap for her." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." formed some opinion?" forbidden door. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "But what will you do?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "What! Had he lost his wife?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "So I heard. You have him here?" chamber." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Chief Executive and Director down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Of what?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I came to find a friend." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what you?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very think, you have already met." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Really! You surprise me." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "You forget that I know nothing about it." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Holmes." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "The King of Scandinavia." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up beyond words. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "'What do you call purely nominal?' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and on in his house." nice household for a young lady." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and a shock of very red hair. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "To the police?" even of instruction." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the date of his supposed suicide." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" said Mr. Holder. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), John Swain, of St. Augustine. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "None." "Yes, all." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "And from a noble client?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "And Irene Adler?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It certainly sounds feasible." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the inner apartment." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and all of them with the keenest interest. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any over his head with a sweet womanly caress. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, upon the sideboard." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he horse could go." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Yes." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." bedroom door." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an felt the room to be a little close.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Who was the criminal, then?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the woman." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, events than those which have happened in my own family." "Texas, I think." matters immensely." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "What will you say?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Nothing?" "The best possible." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the armchair which I pushed forward for him. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as it right.' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot know that the truth is known." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yesterday." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. chance." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the key of the affair now." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the dangers which encompass me." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up."