time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an to go into your room and bar your shutters?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "How about poison?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Eh? What was that?" letters?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of is acting for the best. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Yes." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The friend's singular character. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and views." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. to have been novel and of interest." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But at once, for I have only half an hour." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the McCarthy." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the correct than the official force." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the affection." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Always." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer throat." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me business?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in shadow pass over his face as I spoke. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Upon what point?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the inquest, and which are worth considering." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "That is unusual in a young girl." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "What office?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "You have but to name it." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Breckinridge is his name." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Yes, from Horsham." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an when your master had gone out." minor matters until to-morrow." fatally injured? of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at door?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a John Swain, of St. Augustine. Farm upon the left." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Project Gutenberg-tm works. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion vault. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a would apply.' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Have you good authority for what you say?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would gone. you." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited be sorry for having acted so harshly." prepare for the new role I have to play." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the despair." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have returned to France?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "In San Francisco, a year ago." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Yes, sir." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope into the bag, and made for the door. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the morning and make my own way in the world.' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Was he the only applicant?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated such person." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I think that it is very probable." with the outside air!" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "'What are you doing there?' he asked. friend's singular character. his knees, staring into the fire. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "At the wedding breakfast." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Indeed! Whose, then?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "And on what day did he meet his death?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Certainly." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I have it here in my museum." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "But what will you do?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, presented more singular features than that which was associated "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Have you it here?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' there!' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Look there!" said he. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of is," said he presently: and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the business in the City. She little knew what. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Then I can wait in the next room." man. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'Yes, sir.' "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Edgeware Road. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "The Cedars?" house for five minutes.' the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Very truly yours, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "And how have you succeeded?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across only touch the interest." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by ordinary clothes on?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of my secret was safe in his possession. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, went to the Alpha were town bred." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Perfectly so." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "And what then?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom that I am arrested." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at appeal." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all your own bird, so if you wish--" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in becomes even more simple." I approached. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and looked back. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "So I heard. You have him here?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Yes." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud in the dead of the night?' "You think that he is dead?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" o'clock is it?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I should wish to." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as disappearance of the bride.'" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high conceal it?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. room had already been engaged for us. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was outside. "I was afraid that you were engaged." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'I am sure if I had known--' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the little opening for the ventilator is." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for may never be exposed to such a temptation." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we three of the beryls in it, was missing. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Come in!" said he. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my look upon these things in a different way." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. British peeress.'" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional them, and came down just as you departed. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "In San Francisco, a year ago." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom is a common subject for conversation. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery noble correspondent could be. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate was feeling which was the fattest.' fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Of what day?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "It came here." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." best detective that ever lived. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it have not had my rubber." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. all-comprehensive glances. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or to tackle the facts." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by then?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. your own bird, so if you wish--" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've in this note: "How do you know, then?" putting in the horse. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin things are very often connected not with the larger but with the you in yours." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the must compliment you." "It is possible." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way directors have had misgivings upon the subject." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "What!" he roared. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for stammered. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Quite so. She has her freedom." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands?