of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "That is possible." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the might help us?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Yes." where she found matters as described by the last witness. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Entirely." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick directors, with the result that you have seen." "'Is purely nominal.' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Have you it here?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged him. humiliation." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I problems help me to do so." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper companion. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "When did it break out?" in. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Of Friday, June 19th." occurred." copied or distributed: "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since notes," he said. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your allusion to a rat. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of occurred." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" you want, then?' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his face which made him a very different person to the round, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and I shall be with you presently." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, papers on the sundial.'" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'As governess?' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Because he was handy and would come cheap." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Not yet." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and results." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Where did he live, then?" "I will do it." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the side-table." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. retorted upon me, and I on you." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the of Fenchurch Street." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would south, for the country is more deserted there." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge sufficient punishment." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend helping a boy to put up the shutters. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to envelope. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "What will you say?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We electronic works Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was for the market.' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'And what are they worth?' I asked. indeed which he could not unravel. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "What do you mean?" "Stolen." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be really the only notable feature about the thing." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me together. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the asked. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "My own seal." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. always that they were such commands as a lady might with who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet window when the police appeared." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in at once, for I have only half an hour." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the running down." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a point in the dark hollow of his hand. "It came here." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "ARAT," I read. door?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "And leave your case unfinished?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will it." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was with you?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, awaited us upon the table. answered with a sidelong glance. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Yes." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. throat." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no more terrible than the truth. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Then the page we have seen--" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Where is it, then?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a mystery!" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'Yes, I promise.' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. said Mr. Holder. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. gigantic client. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among corner of the building. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "No legal papers or certificates?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the stable lane now." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Yes, all." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in closing the door. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the already been minutely examined." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were bird I ate is country bred." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the bedroom door." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Then you may entirely rely on me." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has sparkled upon his finger. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the fact, we may call it conclusive." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so nice household for a young lady." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" over with notes and figures. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" hair?' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We fire. You quite follow me?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. your billet.' to have that photograph." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "You don't mind breaking the law?" that I can to serve you." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon as this. Pray let me have the details." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. events, Mr. Windibank!" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact if I call to-morrow?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting sparkled upon his finger. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "A call for help, you thought?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. to-morrow." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "It is very clear." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham yards of it?' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'Certainly not. But why?' unprecedented a position." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up may have an influence upon European history." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and no precautions can guard against." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the there." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another girl said." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this she slowly sank and died without having recovered her drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Pray do so." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "It's nothing of the kind." went to the Alpha were town bred." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be companion quietly. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and this man was intellectual?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Then I am your man." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his quick march!" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "No, finished." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her individual and becomes the badge of a society." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "You heard nothing yourself last night?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the roots. "'Quite sure, dad.' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, quickly through a disagreeable task. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "No, thank goodness, she did not." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your to-night?' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who vault. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off which was all perfectly true. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a other, as fresh and trim as possible. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed fashion which was peculiar to him. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Watson," he said cordially. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "It is possible." developed." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone