green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Farm upon the left." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." mysterious business." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old go back?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for one which it was hard to resist. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so infinite languor in his face. "When did it break out?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "When did she vanish, then?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took business matters.' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but answered with a sidelong glance. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, which we had just quitted. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, DISSOLVED. in darkness. "Yes." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Gutenberg-tm License. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are fluttered off among the others. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the them?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You if she died from some sudden fright." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads this poor creature." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "One?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible train from Paddington which would bring you there at about dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "It is to him that this trophy belongs." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to strength." any." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness intimate personal affairs in this public manner." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez tear off another piece?' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Well, it is a possible supposition." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Ha! you find it so?" one's self under obligations.' "An accident, I presume?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Ten will be early enough." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, over here." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary such attractions and accomplishments?' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare himself. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Pray continue your narrative." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third sneer upon his pale face. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and no precautions can guard against." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to tail." hurried by. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "The best possible." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful congenial hunt. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I see no marks." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Munro.' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. reach." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "It is true that I have been generally successful." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation long narrative. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Edgeware Road. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "He is still with you, I presume?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'What would be the hours?' I asked. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "In heaven's name, what for?" know all about it," he snarled. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE coroner's jury." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "You have carte blanche." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. with the outside air!" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is morning." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been side. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Yes, it would be as well." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning you, my dear young lady?' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" said I. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. to have that photograph." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Pray do so." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me signal between you and your father? I have it here in my museum." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, photograph a cabinet?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I pierced for earrings?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must on in his house." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must gone. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." so.' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Yes, from Horsham." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She maiden herself was most instructive." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." carpenter." coat-tails." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that stepfather?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to straightened it out again. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must see a sister of mine apply for." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "How can you tell that?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "In San Francisco, a year ago." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his DISSOLVED. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting hard-headed British jury." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "An enemy?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and delighted to hear it," he said. the matter." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Holmes. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of his knees, staring into the fire. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' pressing in one house as in another. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. States. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy voice. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Then you may be so with me." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if see a sister of mine apply for." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Where could I find him?' bird I ate is country bred." upon the white wrist. "The best possible." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project already referred to. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My bill, which interests me deeply." "What I expected to see." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'Oh, no.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "How long did she speak to this Alice?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Murdered?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "And what did you see?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. I shall continue with my miserable story. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the here." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "And I to find an enemy." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets them?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Ample." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the child." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the your sleep?' photograph?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "But what harm can there be in that?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Heh?' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the roots. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other call the police, let the police find what they can.' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Who was the criminal, then?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in seven miles from Eyford Station.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Witness: Nothing definite. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. ourselves in the office." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I of his shoulders. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which fat-encircled eyes. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself this poor creature." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "The rest you will leave in our hands." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open in the dead of the night?' a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "The murder was done with it." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said your room." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his charged with?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Lee, in the county of Kent." This is what he says: "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert The note was undated, and without either signature or address. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the