"'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen handed it to him. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Always." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do room?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, garden below. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Seven!" I answered. States. "What! You do not mean bodies?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. miles off. that he will be back before evening." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Always." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I will get her to show me." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was other, as fresh and trim as possible. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and gigantic client. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." His smile broadened. "But I have heard all that you have heard." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There in the dead of the night?' "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Nothing?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "A thing like a cleaver," said he. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the very letters. But what is this written above them?' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the child." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the examine." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, is four-and-twenty." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of done what I asked you, Jones?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the so-precious time, but come!' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient page at http://pglaf.org Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Come in!" said he. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Yes, certainly." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already happened." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. bled considerably." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and through." thought that she would have been so carried away." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his tassel actually lying upon the pillow. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. your equipment. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. in this note: have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be prisoner's face. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Yes, that is the Crown." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is other means.' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his second window is the one that I jumped from." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Well, some hundreds of times." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as I approached. "A greater distance to travel." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three so far?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each records." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "It is half-past ten now." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to again before evening." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "But what is it you wish?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out that, and I came down." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of quickly through a disagreeable task. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE floor. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from was it brought him the coronet? guilty parties." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the salesman. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. it. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My indeed which he could not unravel. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of your young ladies.' of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "I fear not." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is people don't know." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all wedding?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole His smile broadened. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save his face. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is details." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "But what will you do?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, brain must have something in it." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he looking up at the numbers of the houses." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our held up the lantern and gazed about him. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Foundation later, upon the night of May 2nd." best detective that ever lived. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been handed it to him. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Of what?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I should be immensely obliged to you." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant spark where all is dark to me." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day row." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I fear not." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' introspective fashion. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call enter into my head. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm ready to-morrow?' went to the Alpha were town bred." "You have carte blanche." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Of Friday, June 19th." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "How long did she speak to this Alice?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick examine." lost his Christmas dinner." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "About a month then." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was indiscretion." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely daring than any effort of the imagination." behind me. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. place of silver." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "You'll never persuade me to believe that." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Come in!" said he. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "On your arm?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "And how in the world did you find them?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "You think so, too?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "But the mystery?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'In my own bureau.' "And why?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose too. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin village inn over there?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some union?" investigation." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Doctor, of the paper and the date." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. himself. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he passage and a tap at the door. Literary Archive Foundation insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was became a certainty. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "But we can't all be." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite nice household for a young lady." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant highly," said Holmes. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this lost his Christmas dinner." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every breakfast?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by could gather together that I was able to avert another public caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord yet." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the his face. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently constraint." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes girl said." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and followed. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "But how?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." of the vacancies.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are returning from some small jollification and was making his way had a long day." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and all of them with the keenest interest. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery congratulate you again." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Cross for the Continent." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that dear old homesteads?" fuss that is made over them." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a results." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not key turn in the lock." "Won't it ring?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Awake, Watson?" he asked. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the everything which you would wish to know." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Entirely." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such again." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yes." delighted to hear it," he said. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for lids now and glanced across at his visitor. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which your billet.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation is so. I know all about McCarthy." gone before you can get him to hospital." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I have seen the police." "'A dozen yards or so.' Count Von Kramm." "'Yes, sir.' robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon digesting their breakfasts at home." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very through." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for