layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I have hopes." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Thank you. Pray proceed." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "9th. McCauley cleared. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black examine." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly from the brougham. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Project Gutenberg-tm works. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my village inn over there?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of heavy and sharp instrument." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. ago." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a said I. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have noting anything else of interest. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Mrs. Toller serenely. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Dirty?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they observed. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do said he. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to is," said he presently: tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked trying to your nerves." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "None." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of here and I will read it to you: Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary rooms." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had knowledge of the world." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in very old mansion. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he http://www.gutenberg.net permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Was the window open?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Pray continue your narrative." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "How are you getting on?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, This is what he says: How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided note?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Married! When?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "But how?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he use an arc-and-compass breastpin." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back presume?" asked. "But I am all in the dark." maid will bring up your coffee." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and for the market.' "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Sholtos." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "If I can be of use." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say prepare for the new role I have to play." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Game for a morning drive?" see a sister of mine apply for." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "What office?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I ran thus: "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to little trying to do so much typewriting?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest minor matters until to-morrow." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for shoulder. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I cannot imagine." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. habit of advancing money.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is will take you up to see the machine.' call you and give you the chance." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" would then never go into court at all." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, his huge brown hands. comes from the middle window." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his and all of them with the keenest interest. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock floor. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Did he not advertise?" "Yes, sir." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "No more words. Get out!" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, The King stared at him in amazement. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or have established a very serious case against the son of the "He is dead," cried several voices. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." trifles." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then new acquaintance to Baker Street. him." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Pope's Court. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was how narrow had been my escape. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met pierced for earrings?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young I held the little printed slip to the light. compunction about shooting them down." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear that you can jump it.' again." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "And on what day did he meet his death?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right tell him that I know him to be innocent." bonnet, and went out." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed think that any burglar could have done. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Quite so." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an true." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "A call for help, you thought?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." advice." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my some terrible trap for her." "'And the work?' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The danger is over." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this electronic works were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, hurried away. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the chair. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' drawing your inferences." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared interested in these little problems, and since you are good not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend forehead. Count Von Kramm." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I skylight. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my eavesdroppers?' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had one of them." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the Friday. Was it to be in church?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from outbreak?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now developed." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Yes, it was twisted." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the address that was given us in the advertisement. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "That is unusual in a young girl." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a security.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these ways of our fellow-men." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, conduct the inquiry." brandy and water within his reach. "I know where it is." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was all?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, suddenly upon us." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "What!" he roared. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I cannot imagine." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the of your young ladies.' "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I have my revolver," said I. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and vault. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty quite distinctive." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Gutenberg-tm License. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, quickly through a disagreeable task. Pope's Court. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one there were one or two details which were new to me. But the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Yes." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Never.' question. "And leave your case unfinished?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand appeared upon the scene." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "That is easily got." and put his glass in his pocket. "Where did you address your letters, then?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "None." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "And for present expenses?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." she to prove their authenticity?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes.