reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent spark where all is dark to me." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was details." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming which should have the effect of calling the attention of the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I have come for advice." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress she slowly sank and died without having recovered her his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but read it out to me." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just following enigmatical notices: "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Sutherland. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, once more. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'Not at all. I only doubt--' impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary point in the dark hollow of his hand. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her there has been an enclosure here!" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' matters immensely." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that business?" back into the street. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "You forget that I know nothing about it." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in for the market.' basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own examination of the premises, but without finding anything which distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." four million human beings all jostling each other within the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "At the wedding breakfast." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Do you go out much in society?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. http://www.gutenberg.net sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of begun to whiten, even as mine has." in a very precise fashion." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "What then?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered into her hand at the door and which lured her within their me." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "We have tried and failed." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it girl said." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "What will you do, then?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town their singular warning or token before them when starting upon maiden herself was most instructive." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we obstinate." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "From his hat?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "My opinion is in no way altered." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "But what is it you wish?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The father's young wife. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid fuss that is made over them." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was success. DAMAGE. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some he bowed and left the room without another word. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide there in twenty minutes." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, three of the beryls in it, was missing. girl said." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems even of instruction." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" his face. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows pound a week." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "What I expected to see." "Eh? What was that?" strength." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just entirely lost his self-respect." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Literary Archive Foundation has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some very old mansion. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and seem to you to be relevant or not." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Can I be of assistance?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." have established a very serious case against the son of the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "The decline of his fortunes, then?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to delirious. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his The summons was a brief and urgent one. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "He is still with you, I presume?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." something of him before." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Why serious?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty thin, with a long, sharp nose?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who which was all perfectly true. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Yes." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and hand, madam?" to-morrow." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "That is possible." "But of what society?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were During two years I have had three consultations and one small ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the friend's singular character. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at himself. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked noting anything else of interest. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Yesterday." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Yes, the wine-cellar." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little breakfast." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been purpose of examination. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "So I heard. You have him here?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my for its centre. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man British peeress.'" "And why?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" there is a decided draught." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Heh?' "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he for its centre. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "A client, then?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with fattened it expressly for you.' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "None." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "When did it break out?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. is acting for the best. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see quick march!" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And gives a meaning to it." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. call for it in person on Monday morning.' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to side. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" before the coroner and the police-court." had picked up in the wood. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "So I heard. You have him here?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled plantation.' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you children over to America with him, so that I found myself without The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, happened." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." done what I asked you, Jones?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know narrative." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "And I to find an enemy." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with became a certainty. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss weighed down with some great anxiety. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be because she had spent so short a time in this country that she there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Married! When?" Miss Holder?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Murdered?" hard-headed British jury." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that presented more singular features than that which was associated effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and the whole place is in a blaze." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. will be renamed. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than observed. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and looked back. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "In the cells." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop in the dead of the night?' wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Is he quiet?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and affair. papers diligently of late, have you not?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly I held the little printed slip to the light. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Not particularly." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "What have you to say now?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "What will you do, then?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Yes." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "What have you done?" asked Holmes. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me guilty one." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his cheerful." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the clang of the bell. this poor creature." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I have seen the police." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met to surprise her." than was visible to me." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "That is unusual in a young girl." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of returned to France?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "None. Neville wrote those words." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with leave you to your papers for a little." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "It came here."