a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had became a certainty. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the little opening for the ventilator is." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Sutherland. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet during the last few years, and there are many noble families to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "That was it, sir." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. The events in question occurred in the early days of my on in his house." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Yesterday." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when interested in these little problems, and since you are good But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the helping a boy to put up the shutters. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting key turn in the lock." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Yes, sir." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "No, I am descending." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "How did you deduce the select?" "You have but to name it." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine this man was intellectual?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in this remarkable episode. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are clang of the bell. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the nursery. "'I shall certainly be there.' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Here?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the look dissatisfied." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of plantation.' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City annoyance, but no jest. the inner apartment." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "What then?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "And I say east," said my patient. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that threaten you." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an have not had my rubber." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Certainly." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Where, then?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "That you are never beaten." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old danger is over." before, for it was considerably after midnight. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the what I may call a really hard day's work." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Entirely." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window taking in every detail of the apartment. fishes. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." goes." "Will you bet, then?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the running down." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. even so self-evident a thing as that." to-night's adventure." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered child?' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from of this gang." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, to me. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to four million human beings all jostling each other within the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of detective. mystery." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "He slept on the premises." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, photograph a cabinet?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. there has been an enclosure here!" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the bottom.' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow writers could invent nothing more crude." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black my secret was safe in his possession. "You know me, then?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised my special province." only touch the interest." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we digesting their breakfasts at home." upon the shelf for the interim." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of burst into a hearty fit of laughter. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case see me here to avoid scandal." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name bird I ate is country bred." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Can I be of assistance?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of his eyes and forehead. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "May I see it?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Precisely." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A would apply.' put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came giving me time to thank him. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' were wasted." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I cannot as yet see any connection." "You did not overhear what they said?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Was she in good spirits?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which looking up at the numbers of the houses." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare bird of prey. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to awaited us upon the table. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "What do you make of that, Watson?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see pressing in one house as in another. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air From what you have told me I think that it is possible that by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." washing it down with a long draught of water. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. cigars in their mouths. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "None." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had married her." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat questionable one." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was handed it to him. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "But what is it you wish?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just you." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the chance at all." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all to take care of herself." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature breakfast." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has McCarthy's innocence. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Never." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "No, I had a dozen." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," made his money." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "What I expected to see." which it had come upon my father." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an shall not find me ungrateful." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Eyford." "But to whom?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently train.' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I say it is." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was chance at all." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid ceremony." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. back alive. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. third from London." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I cannot say that I have." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a coat-tails." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'Oh, no.' Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to a monotonous occupation." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it charged with?" shoulder; "he's all right." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get sneer upon his pale face. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior directors have had misgivings upon the subject." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been weapon." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to tell them apart.' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Just look it up, then." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while letters?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your what these perils are?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as province." "An accident, I presume?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office