be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "What will you do, then?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Why? What do you mean?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My had picked up in the wood. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Did you become engaged then?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." vault. showing my impatience. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "And now?" I asked. some city in a dream. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my will find little credit to be gained out of this case." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "But what harm can there be in that?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "The knees of his trousers." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "On the contrary, this is the right side." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that key of the affair now." business matters.' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "No, I had a dozen." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the tear off another piece?' "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about written, and locked the door of the office after me. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, answered with a sidelong glance. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his may have an influence upon European history." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Nothing." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "What have you to say now?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Where, indeed?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass one of them." not personally threatened." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand despair." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "A greater distance to travel." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told me where it went to?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the his cane at the bell-pull. bachelor.' with you alone." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in copied or distributed: someone who had been in Australia." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "To ruin me." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Look there!" said he. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Will you bet, then?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "No. What a strange idea!" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant opened the door, and slipped through. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'Never.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the third from London." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest matters immensely." http://gutenberg.net/license). and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Oh, the cause is excellent!" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible shadow pass over his face as I spoke. next day. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you papers must be those that are destroyed.' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I am not easy in my mind about them." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he said I. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near of." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his I held the little printed slip to the light. the Red-headed League." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go late!' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "But you would not advise me to refuse?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she eat it." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and a shock of very red hair. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my tightly behind him. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Imitated." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should over his head with a sweet womanly caress. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on His name is Francis Prosper." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Is he quiet?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this himself to tell his story. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "An accident, I presume?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "The murder was done with it." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came my room." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Clair, of Lee." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My depend upon your compliance." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied answered with a sidelong glance. a room. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "So I heard. You have him here?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "But you can know nothing of this?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and meanly of me." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "10th. John Swain cleared. straighten it?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped discontent upon his features. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he outside." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed pierced for earrings?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Not particularly." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "What have you to say now?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything which I could not give. He asked for Alice. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Precisely." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me dates and names. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being it? Did I buy the geese off you?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. retorted upon me, and I on you." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be once more for Briony Lodge. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this details should find their way into the papers. Inspector laugh and put his lips to my ear. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and together. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the invisible to me," I remarked. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands few hundred pounds.' discontent upon his features. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to get her out of the way." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have open." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the one of the states of the Union." Chief Executive and Director Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Edgeware Road. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage seen the man in the road." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no nothing with him." "But what harm can there be in that?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'I have already given you my word.' age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have daring than any effort of the imagination." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Quite so." was lame." States. once more for Briony Lodge. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the your Highness to the police-station?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five matters immensely." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I signal between you and your father? Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local McCarthy's innocence. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "It was." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to prepare for the new role I have to play." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square never came back." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Come in!" said he. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." late." crime." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "It is half-past ten now." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The to-night's adventure." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of amused." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the your own bird, so if you wish--" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a it with his own hands." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg States. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." outsides of the windows. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully during the last few years, and there are many noble families to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "But what harm can there be in that?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a front of me. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor hopeless attempt at recovering them." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then threw himself down with his face to the pillow.