means taking possession of that which another person has a prior while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "About a month then." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his that he will be back before evening." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if had this final quarrel? "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." better grown goose." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "How many? I don't know." "But to whom?" than was visible to me." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Not I." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Your presence might be invaluable." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard disturbance in my wife." "Yes, only one." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Pray do so." be.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "What then?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Well." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Where, then, is my wife?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "No?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Witness: I must still refuse. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent in this way: some water from a caraffe. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "And you don't know his address?" delirious. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'Certainly not.' and all of them with the keenest interest. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "That was it, sir." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, goes." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some like that before?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during mystery may be cleared along those lines." of this gang." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let our word." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this case before our client came into the room." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey standing smiling on the door-step. McCarthy." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sound at heart." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you nothing of it?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'And the work?' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Perhaps we may make them less so." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "But not more so than I to find you." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I have seen the police." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the devil!" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Thank you. Pray proceed." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick existence." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small them?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the article?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. mysterious business." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I do." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before to-night's adventure." indeed which he could not unravel. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Then I do not see the point." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and your relations to her." read it out to me." "Then, how do you know?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Certainly." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." approach us with offers to donate. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Was he the only applicant?" success. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "On Monday." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an confronted him. advice." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make held up the lantern and gazed about him. Gutenberg-tm License. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which behind me. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his yourselves in at night?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the bottom.' your own bird, so if you wish--" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered bird of prey. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Very much so." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "He said that you could solve anything." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Where, then, is my wife?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Who was the criminal, then?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was interests were the same as his." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story in his power. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or he bowed and left the room without another word. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of cigars in the box." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account nice household for a young lady." bears upon the case?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of attention." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the get the tickets." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had The summons was a brief and urgent one. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, carpenter." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, my special province." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "And you thought he was pulled back?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she problems help me to do so." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and wife's character?" "I do." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Upon what point?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly gbnewby@pglaf.org used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to your most interesting statement." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "And Irene Adler?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I but preventing her from injuring another. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'I have heard so.' front of me. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Not in a good cause." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and bell. Holmes whistled. for securing the situation." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "If I can be of use." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I don't believe it." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "That is it on the dressing-table." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's call you and give you the chance." the coroner come to?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "It surprised me." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I have my revolver," said I. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to investigation." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen into the room. dead, shall be safe with us." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and will take you up to see the machine.' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by there were so many in the whole country as were brought together considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the drove away. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I have solved it." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You have accepted such a situation. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I cannot tell." again on its way. something of him before." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Of what day?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than pity, because in other respects you would really have done very pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "But what will you do?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification might have a private word with us. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to out." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "And I." ways of our fellow-men." "Here?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, awkward doing business with an alias." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest points in connection with it which never have been, and probably happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Have you it here?" outside.