"I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "And you don't know his address?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "And why?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." over part of the map. "What do you read?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "But the mystery?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "'Entirely.' think that he is innocent?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my cup of tea. again." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "What do you mean?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Were they all fastened this morning?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very one of them." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Farm upon the left." province." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Then you may entirely rely on me." brandy and water within his reach. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "What, then?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after foot. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this because she had spent so short a time in this country that she think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work indiscretion." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "A confidential servant?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Murdered?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window details should find their way into the papers. Inspector slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so fashion which was peculiar to him. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed look upon these things in a different way." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "My dear Holmes!" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "What! You do not mean bodies?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "You think so, too?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the my special province." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees depend upon your compliance." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "But he might be a bachelor." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "What?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "How did you trace it, then?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Sutherland?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Then, how do you know?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Will you bet, then?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any it." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales with her." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Lee, in the county of Kent." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. eat it." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until your room." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the held up the lantern and gazed about him. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Count Von Kramm." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "What I expected to see." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Where is it, then?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly see a sister of mine apply for." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting of this gang." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to official police." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose best detective that ever lived. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable should be so warm over such a trifle." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings at my own good fortune. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I records." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "What! a murderous attack?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "And that is--" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had depend upon your compliance." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" if she died from some sudden fright." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "That is possible." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all astonishment. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door away to you." and laid it on the table. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Literary Archive Foundation "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to despaired of." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a business?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and attention." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Edgeware Road. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and wait." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "But I am all in the dark." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Young McCarthy must be got off, however." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered you do it in twenty minutes!' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "And now?" He raised his hand. is now desirous of getting those letters back." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Watson," he said cordially. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'I have already given you my word.' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. tapping his fingers upon the table. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'Very good.' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet footfalls from the street. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, the south-west, I see." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." London for the present?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Murdered?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear be. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "If so, much may have happened between." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He stood on the top of it. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" what I may call a really hard day's work." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "VIOLET HUNTER." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Certainly." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Tired-looking or fresh?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Quite so." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," washing it down with a long draught of water. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who in his hands." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty where we are going." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money photograph?" "Her father is very rich?" him. his wife has ceased to love him." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free your own bird, so if you wish--" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know too. papers diligently of late, have you not?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and shaken than I had ever seen him. them present such singular features as the strange train of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may room?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Yes?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'I am sure if I had known--' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'No, I know no one in these parts.' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, could not have written that. It is the German who is so beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. outsides of the windows. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and power." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we always that they were such commands as a lady might with which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between have got?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got may never be exposed to such a temptation." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "My Mary? Impossible!" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with them?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Murdered?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' what I may call a really hard day's work." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Do you go out much in society?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "And I." presented more singular features than that which was associated this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the station." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I am armed." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham for the market.' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the letters?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, which we had just quitted. gone. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. danger is over." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her of the one which your family is now devouring." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His must compliment you." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "To the police?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases you, my dear young lady?' bonnet, and went out." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Pray let us have it, for all that." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their