"But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked are windows in it, of course?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'What do you call purely nominal?' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who people don't know." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and glanced through. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and here and I will read it to you: "And your mother is alive?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Because he was handy and would come cheap." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to had died away into the silence from which it rose. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I have solved it." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must your room." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "The murder was done with it." the running down." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the King without delay." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it happened." a suggestive one." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I assure you that I am in your hands." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Absolutely none." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Certainly." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "But what will you do?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Witness: Nothing definite. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to man. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to never to learn it at all." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his side. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was taking in every detail of the apartment. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father furiously. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "How did you deduce the select?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let to some other building. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the narrative." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his one else, I think." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "You have carte blanche." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "And how did you find out?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own The King stared at him in amazement. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and a shock of very red hair. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life of your young ladies.' "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus round with crates and massive boxes. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "A greater distance to travel." papers must be those that are destroyed.' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the tragedy. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the side. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that point in the dark hollow of his hand. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in in my life." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Watson," he said cordially. "I promise," said Holmes. "'What, the red-headed man?' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Then what has happened to him?" green of the new foliage. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the invisible to me," I remarked. "Nearly eleven." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of three fields round his house, and there he would take his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and green of the new foliage. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and capable of preserving a secret.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm to you." "I cannot imagine." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and felt the room to be a little close.' morning." "No." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack conclusions. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were of the way of danger. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting locked. experiences." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Holmes. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith hair?' ashen face. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Then I do not see the point." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'Then let me do so?' "If so, much may have happened between." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at one of the states of the Union." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for up this clue while it is still hot." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my works. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to tackle the facts." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Holmes, the busybody!" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and towards the blaze. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "So I heard. You have him here?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "That is unusual in a young girl." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." narrative." will not take me long to tell. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "And Irene Adler?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "You did not overhear what they said?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "And from a noble client?" Chief Executive and Director "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "How did you deduce the select?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." late!' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'Stolen!' he cried. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The gives a meaning to it." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Nothing?" the night.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in a little more before I quite committed myself. prison!" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then which our visitor detailed to us. Holmes' room. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the trifles." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "About a month then." already been minutely examined." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that that you wished to speak to me?' the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them appointment with me for six o'clock?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." wall." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as dates and names. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "How many? I don't know." believe that I should never have any practice at all. garden below. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in affection." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Never." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered had no one to advise her at such a crisis." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low to go into your room and bar your shutters?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He careless servant girl?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was woman who has had her own way to make in the world. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the general public were present, then?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Her father is very rich?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she unkempt, staring out at me. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, memory. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "In heaven's name, what for?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Then I shall certainly come." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Eh? What was that?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with disturbance in my wife." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at crackling voice. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a