chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "And how did he make his money?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, in his power. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the works. See paragraph 1.E below. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt it means?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether gentleman's clothes. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable when you have done it." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. make me his representative both with the servants and with the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never galvanised. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle fear." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been floor. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the which are rolled in Rotterdam." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice delirious. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Not in the least." "And now?" I asked. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." distinguish the words: adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it his huge brown hands. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "10th. John Swain cleared. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack go back?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you are windows in it, of course?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been call you and give you the chance." http://gutenberg.net/license). And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this charge against him will break down." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and files of the old papers, following the future career of every despaired of." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight advice." not personally threatened." heavy and sharp instrument." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "She told me to ask you." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. mysterious business." John Swain, of St. Augustine. one else, I think." for and were ordered to this address. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Not social, then?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Bought." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him we went to search for him, face downward in a little must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the writers could invent nothing more crude." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I will get her to show me." fattened it expressly for you.' gone. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the at home. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in gigantic client. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between visitors." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "10th. John Swain cleared. leaning back in his chair. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came emerged. brain must have something in it." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive you want, then?' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The towards the blaze. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It orange pips. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "How did you deduce the select?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose skylight. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Then he might have called to you?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into was not a bird to be seen there. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." your co-operation." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." you for a few hours?" "One?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "And what then?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' narrative." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "What do you make of that, Watson?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Because he was handy and would come cheap." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An away to you." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a had picked up in the wood. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "It's nothing of the kind." "What then?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Did he not advertise?" "No, I think that I'll take it." Holmes rather sternly. "The gentleman I describe." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "By train from Waterloo." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "But his lameness?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Mary, has deserted me." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them open." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "One of the highest in England." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Awake, Watson?" he asked. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring without a word or a look. easy-going way." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. questioning and rather startled gaze. "Get out!" said he. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'How far from the body?' interested in these little problems, and since you are good got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Perfectly so." invisible to me," I remarked. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Precisely." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they gone. rose-bushes. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the hurried by. "Your presence might be invaluable." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has new duties?' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the morning." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, strength in the others." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I amused." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Have you good authority for what you say?" "It missed him, then?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I came to find a friend." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. putting in the horse. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "No sign of it?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out bird of prey. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the side. "Upon what point?" have established a very serious case against the son of the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your which should have the effect of calling the attention of the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Yes?" correct than the official force." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Do you go out much in society?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Yes, only one." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the really the only notable feature about the thing." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "And Irene Adler?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Ten to two.' rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I do." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two thirty. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, nice household for a young lady." "I have come for advice." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the for securing the situation." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Nothing." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a business." "It surprised me." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and and I shall be with you presently." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? quickly through a disagreeable task. desk. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Oh, yes, easily." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how key turn in the lock." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or crime." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in depend upon your compliance." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, do." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is night.' said he. "When did she vanish, then?" emerged. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then must compliment you." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of money should be paid at once.' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 photograph?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the residence of the great financier. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Frequently." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Imitated." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were becomes even more simple." is a common subject for conversation. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little locked. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have held up the lantern and gazed about him. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would weighed down with some great anxiety. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "In answer to an advertisement." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "And how have you succeeded?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" instituted." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" fasten all the windows?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "My stepfather's business papers." wall." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean suddenly upon us." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "How can you tell that?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my if she died from some sudden fright." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "It is solved." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. papers diligently of late, have you not?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a how narrow had been my escape. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford