whatever might befall. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the foresight and the moral retrogression?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Miss Holder?" quick march!" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could But Holmes shook his head gravely. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to she might be summoned. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me here." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. brain must have something in it." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good shall use the carriage to-night." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Very murderous indeed." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Because he was handy and would come cheap." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Get out!" said he. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very of the vacancies.' thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I conduct the inquiry." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the to you." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Really! You surprise me." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "But how could you guess what the motive was?" success. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new them?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. until night should bring an explanation. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see that there was nothing in it, after all." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that problems help me to do so." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire mysterious business." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my might help us?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'Stolen!' he cried. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those individual and becomes the badge of a society." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing not use it unless it is absolutely needed." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so a little more before I quite committed myself. and wait." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "And it is--" delighted to hear it," he said. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it again before evening." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "And Miss Sutherland?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "The landlord of the Alpha." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions front of me. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Perhaps I have." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "But I am all in the dark." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" good for you to do.' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I think that I had better go, Holmes." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was shall use the carriage to-night." will take you up to see the machine.' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened be best to do. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to for securing the situation." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey was lame." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" roused himself from his reverie. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Yes." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. comes from the middle window." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Heh?' his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the one as in the other." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman been." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Won't it ring?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Seven!" I answered. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my and have this put in the evening papers." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Yes. He waved his hands." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my photograph a cabinet?" case-book, which he consulted. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. answered with a sidelong glance. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "You have carte blanche." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to your Highness to the police-station?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From families. Now for the facts. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any test if we have an answer to our advertisement." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when occupations.' cigars in their mouths. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" in the dead of the night?' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the see a sister of mine apply for." only touch the interest." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any giving me time to thank him. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a I leave." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained affection." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your a little more before I quite committed myself. throat." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' he bowed and left the room without another word. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew appeal." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "I say it is." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in think that any burglar could have done. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "You horrify me." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had fashion which was peculiar to him. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Married! When?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Oh, yes, easily." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "What will you do, then?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "To the police?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Breckinridge is his name." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he when you have done it." "In which, sir?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back new acquaintance to Baker Street. have one." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just it means?" "She told me to ask you." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "No, finished." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite would apply.' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "So it appears." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a that I am arrested." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." away into the river." girl said." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Not particularly." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. kindly on the shoulder. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a McCarthy's innocence. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." his eyes and forehead. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Entirely." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time photograph a cabinet?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "You are hungry," I remarked. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." salesman. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my help us in this matter." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must criminal. We have already had experience of such." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Oh, fresh and glossy." not come at once?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is of Mr. Rucastle's." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been comes from the middle window." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. dead, shall be safe with us." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Leadenhall Street--and--" over here." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow here." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the address that was given us in the advertisement. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's fear." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I am still in the dark." brain must have something in it." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with open." ceremony." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed one of them." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Really! You surprise me." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding copied or distributed: creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "May I see it?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "You have but to name it."