"Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "What then?" to me. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "No, thank goodness, she did not." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "No." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Where, indeed?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "It came here." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the window, rose as we entered. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and capable of preserving a secret.' Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "BALLARAT." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the as he folded up the epistle. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Surrey." girl said." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "But his left-handedness." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Yes, he did." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same information in his hands the value of which he did not himself ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had of." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his started for the Temple to see my husband. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and put his glass in his pocket. "What! a murderous attack?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire simple cases which are so extremely difficult." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I was mad--insane." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to existence." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. shall not find me ungrateful." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you footfalls from the street. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. constraint." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from new duties?' "Proceed, then." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very once more. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the just ask you whether you had heard it.' had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "And how have you succeeded?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to had picked up in the wood. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Can I be of assistance?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "And from a noble client?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'Yes, sir.' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "But how did you gain them?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Only as much as we can deduce." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same third from London." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Cross for the Continent." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a second window is the one that I jumped from." behind me. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried will find little credit to be gained out of this case." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." hour?' for the market.' "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem village inn over there?" weighed down with some great anxiety. feature." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Farm upon the left." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the friends, not even his own brother. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in less than 26s. 4d. "Then I am your man." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can would then never go into court at all." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case me upon any point which I do not make clear." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "But not more so than I to find you." "I will get her to show me." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'What, the red-headed man?' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "It may not come to that," said Holmes. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I would pay ten." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess least a fellow-countryman. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic flock.' "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the matter?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an look dissatisfied." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the will he say when he returns?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other true." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Eh? What was that?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had I am not easy in my mind about them." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Have you it here?" me where it went to?" already referred to. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "My private note-paper." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Countess of Morcar's?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. we went to search for him, face downward in a little triumphant cloud from his cigarette. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "How do you know, then?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in call you and give you the chance." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save strong reason behind." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which galvanised. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table shall not find me ungrateful." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' 1.E.9. yards of it?' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "That is also quite modern," said the lady. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue vanished into the darkness. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for could not have written that. It is the German who is so along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "So I heard. You have him here?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers heavily into it. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "What then?" see me here to avoid scandal." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for did not hear it also.' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I never have." discontent upon his features. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'It is locked up,' I answered. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the to some other building. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated delighted to hear it," he said. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to be there in time for your coming." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where should be taken.' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain details." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two orange pips. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to away into the river." your most interesting statement." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked respectable self." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side was used.' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with bill, which interests me deeply." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "My opinion is in no way altered." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'Certainly not. But why?' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Murdered?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the date of his supposed suicide." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something that the gas is not laid on in his house?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge nonsense.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "And why in hopes?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "But she will refuse." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Which are?" "No, I had a dozen." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" hereditary King of Bohemia." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." yards of it?' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime once more. again on its way. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she companion. papers on the sundial.'" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no light and attacked it." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. infinite languor in his face. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Because he was handy and would come cheap." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you said he, "my real name is James Ryder." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Not social, then?" disturbance in my wife." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "How many? I don't know." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Did your wife hear all this?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." is," said he presently: believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." envelope. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Mary, has deserted me." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it stammered. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Again Holmes raved in the air. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain over with notes and figures. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four to affect your life." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow business at Coburg Square is serious." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the side-table." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not dates and names. villagers almost as much as their master. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from him to be an active member of the medical profession." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the stable lane now." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt