a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Where is it, then?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them was lame." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "VIOLET HUNTER." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had out of this horrible affair." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. him. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Proceed, then." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. pierced for earrings?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still been anything against him. He had for years been known as a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was he bowed and left the room without another word. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, charge against him will break down." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a highroad, where all traces were lost. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "No." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of His smile broadened. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the nonsense.' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me said he at last. I think that I could be of assistance to you." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of brandy and water within his reach. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy his cane at the bell-pull. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Then how many are there?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were I was concerned in it." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "What then?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this there was no need for father to know." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than I leave." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "It came here." green of the new foliage. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "She showed me, as I told you she would." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He My friend smiled. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion disturbance in my wife." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. But Holmes shook his head gravely. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "But how did you gain them?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always present strange and interesting features that it is no easy object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see again, where I was soon asleep. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I think that I had better go, Holmes." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "What can it mean?" I gasped. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would national property. I was determined that the law should have its Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "And you thought he was pulled back?" "What are they?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of details." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take occurred." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended whatever might befall. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "By all means." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Eh? What was that?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little as this. Pray let me have the details." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "And how?" money should be paid at once.' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. been shamefully used." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Literary Archive Foundation "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that to have been novel and of interest." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I should be immensely obliged to you." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it fled together." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I think that I had better go, Holmes." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. of the way of danger. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from and inquire as to the address." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "But I have heard all that you have heard." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. himself to tell his story. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted disappearance of the bride.'" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "I fear not." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian your own bird, so if you wish--" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my to where he stood hid behind the curtain. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A certainly do as you advise." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen asked with his eyes open. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "And you thought he was pulled back?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain crowd. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "You are all wrong." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary delirious. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith once more. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the side-table." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between was not a bird to be seen there. putting in the horse. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I face and glided from the room. "I was mad--insane." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she from you?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." was a loud and authoritative tap. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and to-night." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the that, and I came down." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke go--none." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Come in!" said he. shoulder; "he's all right." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'Yes.' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Serpentine Avenue. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Pray do so." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Yes." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It such attractions and accomplishments?' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "That sounds a little paradoxical." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "She showed me, as I told you she would." forecastle of an emigrant ship. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, visitors." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project bearing upon the case." "How did you trace it, then?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a papers on the sundial.'" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like how narrow had been my escape. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter other lovers by making love himself." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide photograph?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." good for you to do.' here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an arrangements." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my remarked. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return business." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but as this. Pray let me have the details." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, horse could go." of Mr. Rucastle's." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Do you go out much in society?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "But you were on a friendly footing?"