me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too foot. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but disappearance of these gems?" attention." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For in this note: "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" coat-tails." "One?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is was keenly on my guard against him. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I him, that man would not have given me such complete information business at Coburg Square is serious." you do it in twenty minutes!' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a that you saw all that I did." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband hopeless attempt at recovering them." soul! here is her carriage at the door." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "He is still with you, I presume?" "I will, Miss Turner." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a and looked back. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Holmes. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is secret." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the to talk it over. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some or in danger--" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. of campaign. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "But he might be a bachelor." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an written, and locked the door of the office after me. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the Red-headed League." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's rooms." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. joking. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and that he would see to anything that turned up. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our shall not find me ungrateful." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "What do you mean?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, highly," said Holmes. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, me." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations most important business. It is probable that he will be away all great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, indeed happy." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Seven!" I answered. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Very murderous indeed." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Do you know him?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the ago." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and have this put in the evening papers." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, colour had been driven from his face. upon a handsome competence. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "No, my brougham is waiting." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a dead, shall be safe with us." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Then you may entirely rely on me." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Mrs. Toller serenely. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was any little problem which you may submit to me." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" to affect your life." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. fled together." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client works. See paragraph 1.E below. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an out." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." fasten all the windows?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading me upon any point which I do not make clear." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot even so self-evident a thing as that." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Quite sure, dad.' Farm upon the left." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "You horrify me." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his My friend smiled. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'Is purely nominal.' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, sufficient punishment." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "You think that he is dead?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "What, then?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "It is possible." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the who was a member of your goose club." deduce something from that?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "What will you do, then?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg people in all walks of life. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the coronet in his hands?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the touch that coronet?' through." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper your billet.' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he place, I think that there is good ground to think that the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman during that time.' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far him to be an active member of the medical profession." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his pictures, libraries, or plate. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "'In my own bureau.' standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." woman." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." sofa. This way, please!" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Then you may be so with me." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "What!" he roared. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "How about poison?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. For additional contact information: had a long day." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Then he might have called to you?" least a most suspicious remark." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I what these perils are?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your out of this horrible affair." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, interested in these little problems, and since you are good and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience way in." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I was mad--insane." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing I shall communicate with you." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Pool. "That you are never beaten." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "No bad?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Two days later this same performance was gone through under The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our miles off. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." writing, and yet I know it well." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems them present such singular features as the strange train of Street. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed that there was nothing in it, after all." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. young Openshaw's." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the hour." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I easy-going way." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a said he at last. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with crime." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." skylight. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the tragedy. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, him, that man would not have given me such complete information "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I have seen the police." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and a shock of very red hair. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "In which, sir?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an depend upon your compliance." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong note?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. undoubtedly my uncle's." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. your billet.' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. waste of energy." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "What do you mean?" the dangers which encompass me." you." society." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." examine." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Yes, that is the Crown." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Where, then?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "No, thank goodness, she did not." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving back into the street. "Yes?" "I guessed as much." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly mysterious end." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "It is solved." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping in his power. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The with some details as to your case." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--'