Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "What do you mean?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "No good news?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall which our visitor detailed to us. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of some water from a caraffe. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'As governess?' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil sake, don't!" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and horse could go." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Leave Paddington by the 11:15." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "How did you deduce the select?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms narrative." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are salesman. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Countess of Morcar's?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who electronic works without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Yes, only one." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of breakfast?" "Pray continue your narrative." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the rooms." sooner or later she must fall a victim. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the if only as a check to my own memory." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the His name is Francis Prosper." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "But I am all in the dark." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number The events in question occurred in the early days of my "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "You have it, sir, just as it happened." his wife has ceased to love him." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project call for it in person on Monday morning.' "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be his face. to Leatherhead. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." exactly what you advise." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Then how many are there?" that he has suffered." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "What I expected to see." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the in this note: across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Stolen." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared weapon." them, and came down just as you departed. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "But what is it you wish?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which politicians who had been sent down from the North. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the writing, and yet I know it well." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the if only as a check to my own memory." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Yes." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "VIOLET HUNTER." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a easy-going way." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "We must have a cab." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. himself in a perplexing position. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing leaning back in his chair. "No, finished." "How did he come?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back her also." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at I nodded to show that I had heard. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I should wish to." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son London for the present?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Very murderous indeed." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "That is possible." ventilator." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and clang of the bell. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the province." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly you?' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the events, Mr. Windibank!" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Holmes." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "No good news?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that rat could hardly pass through." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known or in danger--" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide on in his house." his huge brown hands. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments are, and they are waiting for us." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of forecastle of an emigrant ship. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I am following you closely," I answered. fear." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. I nodded to show that I had heard. "And help." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of child?' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and looked back. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no directly by questioning you." straighten it?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was children over to America with him, so that I found myself without hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Then, how do you know?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any front of the hall door has given its name to the place. to some other building. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Have you it here?" comes from the middle window." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'Never.' trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." mystery may be cleared along those lines." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and south, for the country is more deserted there." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while who was a member of your goose club." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Pray continue your narrative." up this clue while it is still hot." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not electronic works was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Count Von Kramm." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm cigar and let me expound." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." strong and stiff." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried I shall continue with my miserable story. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "When did it break out?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered IS "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and the whole place is in a blaze." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on foresight and the moral retrogression?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I cannot tell." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the coronet at all injured?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to within hail.' "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two matter over." During two years I have had three consultations and one small Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. ready to-morrow?' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a your troubles." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'Stolen!' he cried. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Street. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few without a word or a look. "It is solved." "'And the work?' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause absorbing." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which bearing upon the case." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for The King stared at him in amazement. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that narrative." have got?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." recover the gem." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the photograph a cabinet?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal coroner's jury." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Bought." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of campaign. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "This concluded the examination of the witness." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Watson," he said cordially. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low past. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "No, distinctly professional." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "The King of Scandinavia." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting unkempt, staring out at me. system of imprisonment?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have hour?' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "But how?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "No, I think that I'll take it." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Yes." "Why did you beat the pavement?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Dirty?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in woven round him. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent may never be exposed to such a temptation." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a which I could not give. He asked for Alice. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee pierced for earrings?"