Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** them?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond three of the beryls in it, was missing. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Then, as to money?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing knowledge of the world." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Have you it here?" "And it is--" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic said he. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Married! When?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'In my own bureau.' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this yourselves in at night?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a wanted for ourselves." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Never to return." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Will you go?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me all-comprehensive glances. "And that is--" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "And the murderer?" there is a decided draught." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Edgeware Road. for securing the situation." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could emerged. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and been shamefully used." "Yes, certainly." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "But the mystery?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "He said that you could solve anything." "Why? What do you mean?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "The vanishing of the lady." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'And the work?' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Miss Holder?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Yes, that is the Crown." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "And Irene Adler?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of clang of the bell. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked never came back." page at http://pglaf.org The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Yes, at the mines." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the as this. Pray let me have the details." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel his grey eyes. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem down. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, them?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. You want to know what became of those geese?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Witness: It was. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Of Friday, June 19th." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. detective. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain later, upon the night of May 2nd." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Where, then?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Have you her photograph?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were keep the flames under. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my over here." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really upon the sideboard." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. call it cruel." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he call the police, let the police find what they can.' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was with you?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Dr. Gregory B. Newby it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for lost his Christmas dinner." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an annoyance, but no jest. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Yes. He waved his hands." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to what I may call a really hard day's work." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Munro.' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Quite so." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "My dear Holmes!" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "What!" he roared. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. himself to tell his story. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Ah!" Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll once more. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "No legal papers or certificates?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the drawing your inferences." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Not yet." any little problem which you may submit to me." your only hope of safety." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! there when the Rucastles went away." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Mrs. Toller serenely. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no kindly on the shoulder. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me footfalls from the street. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "But I have heard all that you have heard." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Not social, then?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will lumber-room." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Yes, sir." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." garden below. train.' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy joking. once more to my work. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who stammered. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, yards of it?' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I do." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Not in the least." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I could not have written that. It is the German who is so American. Then who could this American be, and why should he fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the golden eyeglasses. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "And what then?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. kindly on the shoulder. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and the colonel ushered me in. "My stepfather's business papers." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the remarked. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was cigars in the box." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was do.' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'You cannot say what it was?' like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "You have compromised yourself seriously." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at discontent upon his features. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "What are they?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Quite so. She has her freedom." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my I nodded to show that I had heard. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I unclasping of his long thin hands. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Oh, yes, easily." "Yes, at the mines." public press." families. Now for the facts. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a disturbance in my wife." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Dr. Gregory B. Newby an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when not come at once?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the him. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of what these perils are?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who cause to be." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than The events in question occurred in the early days of my out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for hour." fuss that is made over them." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' feature." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the to Leatherhead. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "And how did you find out?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I shall be delighted." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the coronet at all injured?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the prepare for the new role I have to play." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "If I can be of use." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a is," said he presently: quick march!" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are good for you to do.' and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between