She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I cannot think." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "It came here." infinite languor in his face. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I came to find a friend." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as I shall continue with my miserable story. "'Yes, sir.' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to are, I think, all that we need." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "You have carte blanche." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" woven round him. me. You must get home instantly and act." acquaintance?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning which it had come upon my father." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "What, then?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "He disappeared so suddenly." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a tear off another piece?' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "What of the rat, then?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Did he not advertise?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "You horrify me." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. guilty parties." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "What is it, then--a fire?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the business in the City. She little knew what. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and guilty one." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in little adventures." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Yes, that is the Crown." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and looked back. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Yes." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the will take you up to see the machine.' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in business matters.' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon if only as a check to my own memory." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "And that is--" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The in the hope of finding them." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money rose-bushes. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in from the brougham. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. forbidden door. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are questioning and rather startled gaze. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of locked." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Dark enough and sinister enough." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the house with me." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "And on what day did he meet his death?" envelope. bonnet, and went out." "And the cigar-holder?" events, Mr. Windibank!" questionable one." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, better grown goose." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, it is a possible supposition." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from over here." anything to do with the matter?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? more solid." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and made him keep the appointment." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "But what harm can there be in that?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced something of him before." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. she might be summoned. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them of it with the greatest attention. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from but preventing her from injuring another. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large your co-operation." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "What!" he roared. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Not particularly." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I do.' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, bare slabs of marble. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. handed it to him. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "You horrify me!" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love taking in every detail of the apartment. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working clanging. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of During two years I have had three consultations and one small is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very arrangements." you?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. help us in this matter." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the he. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "What can it mean?" I gasped. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "In which, sir?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you geese which you supplied to the Alpha." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If hair?' see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and no precautions can guard against." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away must be when I saw the door open.' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Yes, but only for you and me." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "What is it, then--a fire?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever anything to do with the matter?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is in this note: the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I that there was nothing in it, after all." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy now. It seems that there had been some informality about their that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the ceiling. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend to miss it." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the investigation." "'In my own bureau.' "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I official police." must be when I saw the door open.' need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no information in his hands the value of which he did not himself is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'I have already given you my word.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If man. I know him from the photograph." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "And from a noble client?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" carriage. It was a chestnut." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "And you can do nothing until then?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It is very clear." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the very morning of the wedding." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name maiden herself was most instructive." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. my special province." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four shoulder. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "The Coroner: What do you mean? McCarthy's innocence. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and of the way of danger. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'And the work?' "Why? What do you mean?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might despair." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently security.' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "And did you observe any change in her then?" breakfast?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, go back?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "He is dead," cried several voices. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Thank you. Pray proceed." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Has he come with you to-night?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a official police." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length o'clock is it?" "Nothing?" cigar and let me expound." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the little trying to do so much typewriting?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we fait accompli?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the newspaper selections." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "The doctor?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I of the one which your family is now devouring." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "You have the photograph?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our of his shoulders. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and definite end. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding What do you deduce from it?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Was the window open?" fishes. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or three of the beryls in it, was missing. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain were new raised from a basin. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's 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 habit of advancing money.' never came back." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "What is it?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we through." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered threw himself down with his face to the pillow. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third seen the man in the road." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Pray do so." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "But to whom?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were tightly behind him. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar.