the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." is so. I know all about McCarthy." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my kindly on the shoulder. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." served to weaken the effect. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you thought that she would have been so carried away." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your hour?' whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important four million human beings all jostling each other within the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "How many? I don't know." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, this man was intellectual?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your pierced for earrings?" "The murder was done with it." During two years I have had three consultations and one small enough to aid us in our search." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "None. Neville wrote those words." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' wall." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and up this clue while it is still hot." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Holmes rather sternly. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important formed some opinion?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "What, then, did Peterson do?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that least a most suspicious remark." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said himself in a perplexing position. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was hurried by. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the I approached. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Why serious?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled as he remarks, very much against the son." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Dirty?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Pray do so." "What then?" that you can jump it.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Because he was handy and would come cheap." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired down. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." side. it means?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you her also." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob certainly not very gracious." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." second." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case obstinate." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, what do you think they found in the pockets?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper less than 26s. 4d. interested in these little problems, and since you are good started for the Temple to see my husband. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring key turn in the lock." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length would then never go into court at all." mysterious business." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "'You cannot say what it was?' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Doctor, of the paper and the date." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a yards of it?' "No, I had a dozen." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was his grey eyes. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his geese which you supplied to the Alpha." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Henry Baker is a member." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "And Miss Sutherland?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with I nodded to show that I had heard. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the overpowering excitement and concern. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this be.' again." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." guilty parties." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Sholtos." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your forehead. "You were travelling in the States?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "To the police?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I am still in the dark." within hail.' "My opinion is in no way altered." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his when your master had gone out." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Yes, he did." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an know what is wrong with it.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "She will not sell." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Nothing?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Which are?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated before the coroner and the police-court." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a promised to bring home. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very was the fact that his father should, according to his account, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, other lovers by making love himself." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "But how will you look?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Nearly eleven." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'Never.' "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Then what has happened to him?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell kindly on the shoulder. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and few hundred pounds.' "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the date of his supposed suicide." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "It must be recovered." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Farm upon the left." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him this remarkable episode. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of placed his cuttings. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working tightly behind him. fact, we may call it conclusive." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered trying to your nerves." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and populous neighbourhood." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my any." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Holmes' face clouded over. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria third from London." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "And how did he make his money?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Holmes' thin, eager face. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Nothing." but preventing her from injuring another. "In which, sir?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Leave Paddington by the 11:15." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Well?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the was already answered. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "And your father? Did you tell him?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Can I be of assistance?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be place of silver." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not man. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "They are typewritten," I remarked. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his down. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient interests were the same as his." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Never." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each with you?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. you in your example." you, my dear young lady?' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the in a very precise fashion." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been future lives." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "To the police?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "On your arm?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as know what is wrong with it.' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more case-book, which he consulted. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage points in connection with it which never have been, and probably spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' young Openshaw's." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm answered with a sidelong glance. "Yes." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and one which it was hard to resist. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and I. the devil!" "I know where it is." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here you, my dear young lady?' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Well?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that all that?" "'A dozen yards or so.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "And I say east," said my patient. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then of them has the shutters up.' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had more solid." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it I approached. unclasping of his long thin hands. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to danger is over." Eyford." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon to surprise her." investigation."