along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "But to whom?" "And the murderer?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." morning." "But what will you do?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary one of them." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs of it with the greatest attention. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "And I." cup of tea. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Then I do not see the point." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he for securing the situation." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Yes, from Horsham." had picked up in the wood. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without photograph?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean made his money." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "In the cells." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Tired-looking or fresh?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I cannot imagine." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "One of the highest in England." man. I know him from the photograph." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'What do you call purely nominal?' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to in one or two places in England?' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "The murder was done with it." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine noble correspondent could be. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "VIOLET HUNTER." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Where, then, is my wife?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his go--none." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the tragedy. "And it is--" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the iron safe, which he closed upon it. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad know what is wrong with it.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried plantation.' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "No, thank goodness, she did not." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand crime. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "There is the writing." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic started for the Temple to see my husband. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I think that it is very probable." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first chance at all." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and few hundred pounds.' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it window when the police appeared." "Well, but China?" "Then what has happened to him?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I never have." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of a suggestive one." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'Certainly not. But why?' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Then you may entirely rely on me." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Cross for the Continent." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Entirely." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no it with his own hands." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Stolen." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A power." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! see me here to avoid scandal." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which trying to your nerves." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 he bowed and left the room without another word. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I will not look." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Have you it here?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to looking up at the numbers of the houses." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any if only as a check to my own memory." overpowering excitement and concern. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered galvanised. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case upon the sideboard." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "You will not go there first?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I fear not." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have in the hope of finding them." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the tragedy. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with with her." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "An enemy?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "He might." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black train.' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that father's place of business?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "We must have a cab." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her to a more successful conclusion." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. himself. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the good-night and bustled off upon her way. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only interested in these little problems, and since you are good take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the chance at all." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, people don't know." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I should be immensely obliged to you." question. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and room had already been engaged for us. matter over." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an strong reason behind." in my life." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about lost his Christmas dinner." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "A client, then?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly arms and began to sob in a high treble key. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage in his hands." "And when will you call?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "What then?" was a perfect sample of the class. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled upon a handsome competence. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, it." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that that I can to serve you." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for question," said Holmes, smiling. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening desk. woven round him. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Yes, all." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "A client, then?" "You think so, too?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual reach." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, asked. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush populous neighbourhood." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes, sir." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "To the police?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into gentleman's clothes. interests were the same as his." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of bedroom door." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his retorted upon me, and I on you." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Then I can wait in the next room." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "One of his hands." "It's nothing of the kind." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Stolen, then." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. you, my dear young lady?' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the best of training." answer." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "What can it mean?" I gasped. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge very peculiar words of the dying woman?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up could not have written that. It is the German who is so points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Precisely." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling guilty parties." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a fatally injured? Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where society." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this was once confined in the cab my mission was practically grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came but preventing her from injuring another. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "We must sit without light. He would see it through the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to foot. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted acquaintance?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "No sign of it?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Eh? What was that?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Holmes." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and read it out to me." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "No?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "An enemy?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the