snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The one's self under obligations.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come pressing in one house as in another. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears way in." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "How are you getting on?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. hurried away. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on to some other building. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly depend upon your compliance." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. your sleep?' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." take the flies, but not before." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'Quite sure, dad.' "There is the writing." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from dear old homesteads?" murdered man." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the License. You must require such a user to return or bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day a good hundred miles off by now." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Precisely." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "We must sit without light. He would see it through the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Yesterday." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my I approached. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor was not a bird to be seen there. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. business." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness James Windibank. Voilà tout!" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly back alive. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. posted to-day." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "When did it break out?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly undoubtedly my uncle's." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a him and tried to hold him back. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we all?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in he bowed and left the room without another word. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "And I say east," said my patient. night.' said he. "No." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate photograph a cabinet?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against photograph?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "He is still with you, I presume?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked companion. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I think it very unlikely." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I am armed." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them you?' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Yes. He waved his hands." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I came to find a friend." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the it." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should you in your example." not, dad?" she asked. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you presented more singular features than that which was associated heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to have had none more fantastic than this." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "It was a confession," I ejaculated. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by sneer upon his pale face. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a suspect him." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up until night should bring an explanation. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. window when the police appeared." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he you found me to-night--and running through the front room she as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the stable lane now." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which gigantic client. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob suspect him." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the it." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to a more successful conclusion." the salesman. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a colonel looking down at me. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like back into the street. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small geese which you supplied to the Alpha." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have hurried by. in his power. in a friendly supper." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be seven miles from Eyford Station.' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I cannot tell." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "And why?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried guilty parties." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which McCarthy's innocence. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I nodded to show that I had heard. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "What will you do, then?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Not in a good cause." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Project Gutenberg-tm works. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which carpenter." have I gained?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the driver. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Yes, he did." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just and inquire as to the address." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Seven!" I answered. to you." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' husband's writing, madam." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and been able to understand it, in a very few words. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country disturbance in my wife." forecastle of an emigrant ship. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of gives a meaning to it." me where it went to?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, be best to do. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in and have this put in the evening papers." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Mrs. Toller serenely. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "If I can be of use." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "It looks newer than the other things?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm way in everything. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive be.' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and that he would see to anything that turned up. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of strength." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but security.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Street. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "In which, sir?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Whose house is it?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he next day. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes, sir." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the to-night." "Upon what point?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." followed. envelope. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves be best to do. "I was mad--insane." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Quite so." evidence," I remarked. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was yourselves in at night?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the loss of it. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which from you?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. you for a few hours?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less father's place of business?" "Won't it ring?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I think that it is very probable." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think was already answered. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the works. See paragraph 1.E below. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and how narrow had been my escape. "Was there a secret marriage?" or other trace. But how on earth--" business?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of sofa. This way, please!" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "To an end?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "She walked into the breakfast-room." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that him to go away.' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution beyond words. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to