a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Mrs. Toller serenely. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of like that before?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I nodded again. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend lost nothing by them." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over head. So long, then!" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "A client, then?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Not social, then?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "What, then?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I am to be neutral?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I For additional contact information: during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "It was." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in My friend smiled. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to letters?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Surrey." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Yes, only one." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a south, for the country is more deserted there." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock recover the gem." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the stones. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, is four-and-twenty." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll questionable one." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it I approached. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had business." where we are going." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into would apply.' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it The note was undated, and without either signature or address. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case matters immensely." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. during that time.' a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'Yes, I promise.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of happened." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "A client, then?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "What! a murderous attack?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. are, and they are waiting for us." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by head. So long, then!" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside begin with, and I had not got mine yet." is four-and-twenty." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "BALLARAT." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Certainly." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Did your wife hear all this?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of suspect him." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This me, and I could not think that his explanation of the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "And I to find an enemy." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and indeed which he could not unravel. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the as the one I chose?' shoulder. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "The Cedars?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I yet." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "It must be recovered." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be instituted." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over breakfast?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless voice, changing her seat as requested. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet I leave." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Sutherland?" "How about poison?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the stones. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." see a sister of mine apply for." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "But how will you look?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, night.' said he. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss him and tried to hold him back. "Where to?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle business?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "A client, then?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Why did you pick him?" him and tried to hold him back. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set 1.E.9. acquaintance?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "They are typewritten," I remarked. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite ordinary clothes on?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there made him keep the appointment." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of woven round him. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is always that they were such commands as a lady might with to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a that there was nothing in it, after all." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a would then never go into court at all." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I cannot tell." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to have not had my rubber." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He a monotonous occupation." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I saw her in conversation with her maid." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the about here speaks of his kindness to him." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." affair. once more to my work. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if three fields round his house, and there he would take his would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight strength in the others." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an coat-tails." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "It is his hat." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay a suggestive one." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the morning." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Of Friday, June 19th." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the touch that coronet?' what do you think they found in the pockets?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I was mad--insane." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that of your young ladies.' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "The best possible." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving this Miss Turner." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very it." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I have a cab outside." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Pray do so." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Surrey." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Watson," he said cordially. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a this unhappy family?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us question you as to those details which seem to me to be most gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came success. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter exactly what you advise." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end tear off another piece?' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's in the dead of the night?' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I was certainly surprised to find you there." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "What have you to say now?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining second." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the served to weaken the effect. developed." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. in him." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "What can it mean?" I gasped. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her off." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very exactly what you advise." Sutherland. "Could he throw no light?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Thank you. And your address?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be like that before?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Then you may be so with me." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, standing smiling on the door-step. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing shall not find me ungrateful." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the married her." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. to tackle the facts." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when pressing in one house as in another. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." trifles." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and what I may call a really hard day's work." "'What, the red-headed man?' and no precautions can guard against." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Have you good authority for what you say?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'You cannot say what it was?' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "But she will refuse." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. she might be summoned. "I was sure that I might rely on you." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make question you as to those details which seem to me to be most excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled think you a quite exceptional woman." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Never." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to on re-entering her father's house?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced very peculiar words of the dying woman?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town must compliment you." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, hour." "On the contrary, this is the right side." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the absorbing." "The Cedars?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and have accepted such a situation. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing him. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a