knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. ready to-morrow?' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, hopeless attempt at recovering them." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the night.' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the Friday. Was it to be in church?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a that you saw all that I did." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I will not look." to-night?" I asked. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would observed. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making notes," he said. the King without delay." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "And why?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the south-west, I see." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for wedding?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and for its centre. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Yes." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. lamp. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. amused." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "We must have a cab." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such and capable of preserving a secret.' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly and shall probably return to London by the evening train." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness have been better. It is all right." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous affair. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, said Mr. Holder. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six of the one which your family is now devouring." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. allusion to a rat. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done at my own good fortune. "Won't it ring?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your would apply.' power." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both deduce something from that?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some him to go away.' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "There is the writing." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can gigantic client. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down figure." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her What do you deduce from it?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in so far?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the so.' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. was a lad." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously strength in the others." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check open." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the general public were present, then?" so.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "What have you to say now?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," becomes even more simple." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "The Cedars?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "When did it break out?" a monotonous occupation." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. little adventures." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled fuss that is made over them." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I believe that I should never have any practice at all. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "What! You do not mean bodies?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it wanted for ourselves." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most clanging. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "And how have you succeeded?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for soul! here is her carriage at the door." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. recover the gem." heavily into it. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. arrangements." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "But how could you guess what the motive was?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all we went to search for him, face downward in a little "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Who was the criminal, then?" "Not in a good cause." "In heaven's name, what for?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my look dissatisfied." the stones. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Very truly yours, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually detained." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his go--none." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk individual and becomes the badge of a society." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very strode off upon his way. might help us?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' it." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just fluttered off among the others. "He slept on the premises." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings chance at all." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, such person." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian past. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and note?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which have had none more fantastic than this." "Ten will be early enough." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is there when the Rucastles went away." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I am still in the dark." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose colour had been driven from his face. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my are, and they are waiting for us." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Thank you. Pray proceed." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'Where to?' and capable of preserving a secret.' "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in his forehead." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this undoubtedly my uncle's." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem closing the door. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only his forehead." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Gutenberg-tm License. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after distinguish the words: trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Very much so." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I to that open window." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of and your relations to her." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "No." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally to go into your room and bar your shutters?" then?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. arrangements." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She of his shoulders. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, formed some opinion?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed sentimental considerations in the background which would induce 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, long narrative. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been quite distinctive." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too observed. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Oh, fresh and glossy." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily his knees, staring into the fire. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the his cane at the bell-pull. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "By train from Waterloo." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" new duties?' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." spare." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Miss Holder?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our it." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'And the work?' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. even of instruction." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite important." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Then I can wait in the next room." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the strong reason behind." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin towards the blaze. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United all-comprehensive glances. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to again, where I was soon asleep. "Will you bet, then?" "Come in!" said he. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Stolen, then." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Yes, all." "Certainly." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency asked. to Leatherhead. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "What are they?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, with you?" "An enemy?" "That is it on the dressing-table." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he touch that coronet?' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot three of the beryls in it, was missing. you for a few hours?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed was already answered. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for mystery." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, prepare for the new role I have to play." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you over part of the map. "What do you read?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "But how?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were new duties?' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off