a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Which are?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we works. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning before the coroner and the police-court." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was skylight. room had already been engaged for us. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute easy-going way." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this new acquaintance to Baker Street. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Perhaps I have." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Henry Baker is a member." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Yes." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and begun to whiten, even as mine has." for the market.' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. note?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their forbidden door. woven round him. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of pound a week." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the returned to France?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box During two years I have had three consultations and one small here and I will read it to you: you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an in darkness. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter here." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier thin, with a long, sharp nose?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "But of what society?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Eh? What was that?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. south, for the country is more deserted there." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It surprised me." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the During two years I have had three consultations and one small course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Literary Archive Foundation in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It golden eyeglasses. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet you." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." something of him before." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, gigantic client. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "When did it break out?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his of Fenchurch Street." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Was there a secret marriage?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and seven miles from Eyford Station.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not made him keep the appointment." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's residence of the great financier. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the inquest, and which are worth considering." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate house for five minutes.' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little will not take me long to tell. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could opened a pocket-book and took out a note. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry meant it for the best. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which was feeling which was the fattest.' against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "You were travelling in the States?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my third from London." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a for and were ordered to this address. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely over here." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "It is half-past ten now." "ARAT," I read. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Will you go?" green of the new foliage. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "It missed him, then?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Very. But will he see it?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, interest. They are important, you understand, without being the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Never." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Two days later this same performance was gone through under of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some instituted." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" papers must be those that are destroyed.' bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the driver. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other coroner's jury." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that laugh and put his lips to my ear. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "He said too much." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been letters?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. must compliment you." chill to my heart. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Why? What do you mean?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, was keenly on my guard against him. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "You were travelling in the States?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two bare slabs of marble. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, away into the river." joking. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I am sure." "'Yes.' "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the Red-headed League." that you can jump it.' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Which are?" "Certainly." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience gone. this as likely?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "You forget that I know nothing about it." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'Quite sure, dad.' "From his hat?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "On the contrary, this is the right side." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Certainly, madam." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I followed. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative companion quietly. any little problem which you may submit to me." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were 1.E.9. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "It is half-past ten now." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the Assizes." "Certainly." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly *** START: FULL LICENSE *** would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal served to weaken the effect. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, DAMAGE. wedding?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it that, and I came down." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "None." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Yes, sir." and I shall be with you presently." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "My photograph." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." II. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "It surprised me." and put his glass in his pocket. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," pound a week." an introduction to him?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of closely." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the voice. roused himself from his reverie. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I think that it is very probable." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but read over the extraordinary announcement. Literary Archive Foundation and your relations to her." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most asked with his eyes open. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I am in hopes that she does." and it need not interfere very much with one's other The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and emerged. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and all of them with the keenest interest. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Have you good authority for what you say?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time directors, with the result that you have seen." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. some city in a dream. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of how narrow had been my escape. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began chamber." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he girl said." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached have one." "It is possible." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have of the one which your family is now devouring." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, have an American origin." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the copied or distributed: "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to is acting for the best. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt had no one to advise her at such a crisis." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of is now desirous of getting those letters back." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "But not more so than I to find you." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm occupations.' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective open." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. morning." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO in this way: "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one helping a boy to put up the shutters. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms said he. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the running down." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" voice, changing her seat as requested. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we was feeling which was the fattest.' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in directors, with the result that you have seen." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes there when the Rucastles went away." be best to do. it." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "No, finished." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have that he will be back before evening." infinite languor in his face. that you can jump it.' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Why that?' I asks. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror true." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, footfalls from the street. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing congratulate you again." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood carpenter." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER."