and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the nursery. conclusions. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." written, and locked the door of the office after me. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "But I have heard all that you have heard." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the that I may have something better before very many minutes are of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "But who is he?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I leave." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their husband's writing, madam." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. when you have done it." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Doctor, of the paper and the date." sofa. This way, please!" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun face and glided from the room. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Why, what do you mean?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "And you don't know his address?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Did you observe the colour?" amused." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their will he say when he returns?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He DAMAGE. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "What then?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the thirty. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you directors, with the result that you have seen." "It is very kind of you." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking McCarthy." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the examine." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" unprofitable." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do sound at heart." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Eyford." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. your co-operation." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He anything to do with the matter?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the ashen face. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is out of this horrible affair." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "You have carte blanche." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are if I call to-morrow?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, strength in the others." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "It must be recovered." would apply.' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may persecution?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "What, then, did Peterson do?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Arthur Conan Doyle "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the Red-headed League." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, answer." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" will take you up to see the machine.' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Yes, it was twisted." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Why did you pick him?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the warnings." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down already been minutely examined." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "And how?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." this Miss Turner." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in tightly behind him. until night should bring an explanation. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "You know me, then?" Have you good authority for what you say?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into is now desirous of getting those letters back." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of article?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all perplexity from it to my illustrious client. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers strength of mind to control. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Eyford." young Openshaw's." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small there." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "You'll never persuade me to believe that." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "It was." "Pray continue your narrative." not within a twentieth part of the market price." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed brain must have something in it." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. conclusions. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and never came back." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "At what time?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'Entirely.' head. So long, then!" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "No, I think that I'll take it." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I saw her in conversation with her maid." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and the colonel ushered me in. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and character. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we best detective that ever lived. Again Holmes raved in the air. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Which surely he restored to their owner?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "ARAT," I read. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced she used." off." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't beg that you will break it off." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, better in every way that they should make their position a little I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and skylight. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always used to be." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all over here." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself narrative." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible shall use the carriage to-night." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "When did it break out?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was get the tickets." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "But I am all in the dark." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the congratulate you again." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, her also." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "She told me to ask you." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES she has been waylaid. There has been no result." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I nothing of it?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the stable lane now." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Holmes. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback quick march!" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg death." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to outsides of the windows. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she which we had just quitted. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method conclusions. unclasping of his long thin hands. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my singular points about the case. What did the police think of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. helping a boy to put up the shutters. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what at once, for I have only half an hour." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the window, rose as we entered. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the miles off. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, how narrow had been my escape. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a him to go away.' tail." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "But she will refuse." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "She showed me, as I told you she would." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "One of his hands." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that joking. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "You don't mind breaking the law?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the until night should bring an explanation. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Her father is very rich?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "What will you say?" roused himself from his reverie. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: unprofitable." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that what I may call a really hard day's work." breakfast." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That returning from some small jollification and was making his way we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and that he would see to anything that turned up. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the warnings." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his again." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and the whole place is in a blaze." "But how?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Entirely." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And you don't know his address?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low learned something! Where are the gems?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Certainly."