"It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It presume?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a orange pips. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance man. I know him from the photograph." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of clang of the bell. confronted him. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Foundation brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited trying to your nerves." you want, then?' "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "You are certainly joking, Holmes." situation." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took one of them." everything which you would wish to know." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I cannot think." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go man. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these nonsense.' I am not easy in my mind about them." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous cigars in the box." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. what I may call a really hard day's work." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure empty. Chief Executive and Director presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the or in danger--" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made constraint." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "What is it?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and his huge brown hands. humiliation." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I would give my fortune to have them back." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position of Mr. Rucastle's." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and residence of the great financier. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "And your mother is alive?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up mysterious business." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I have hopes." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite corner of the building. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing drove away. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the matter?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of brandy and water within his reach. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I said I. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought go back?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "And is that all?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Count Von Kramm." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, gone. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call do." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society seem to you to be relevant or not." "That also I could fathom." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much back alive. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved morning." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in brandy and water within his reach. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is strong and stiff." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its that?' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "To an end?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right III. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "What office?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for always that they were such commands as a lady might with very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Perhaps I have." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Here?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for interested in these little problems, and since you are good "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone signal between you and your father? "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella individual and becomes the badge of a society." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I will, Miss Turner." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, business." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was questionable one." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What here." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." in my life." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I am to be neutral?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the salesman. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! fatally injured? "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who on re-entering her father's house?" "Yes, but only for you and me." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body four million human beings all jostling each other within the foot. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), this man was intellectual?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "What, then?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded key of the affair now." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended papers." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining once more to my work. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and correct than the official force." "No more words. Get out!" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Yes, certainly." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out events, Mr. Windibank!" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a wife's character?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from always that they were such commands as a lady might with hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found what these perils are?" "Has he come with you to-night?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between was lame." three fields round his house, and there he would take his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "What I expected to see." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong have established a very serious case against the son of the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "But you can know nothing of this?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. go--none." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Whose house is it?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "From his hat?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. window when the police appeared." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Nearly eleven." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Was there a secret marriage?" placed his cuttings. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain putting in the horse. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "When did it break out?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while your room." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young hour." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'Never,' said I. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might really the only notable feature about the thing." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Holmes' thin, eager face. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a keep the flames under. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "How about poison?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the one's self under obligations.' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "By no means." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Why, what do you mean?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, shall not find me ungrateful." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "What of the rat, then?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is said I. what I may call a really hard day's work." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in very morning of my second wedding." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "In answer to an advertisement." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to over part of the map. "What do you read?" "May I see it?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Miss Holder?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Yes, all." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of tension within him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Absolutely none." mystery!" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest upon the shelf for the interim." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with you." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, directors, with the result that you have seen." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Not him." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg him!" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and all of them with the keenest interest. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Upon what point?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass floor. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. bled considerably." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very brandy and water within his reach. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "And how did you find out?" "9th. McCauley cleared. closely." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Leadenhall Street--and--" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'What are you doing there?' he asked. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the will not take me long to tell. was lame." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of taking in every detail of the apartment. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and was lame." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Pray continue your narrative." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Can I be of assistance?" danger is over." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "To the police?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Perhaps we may make them less so." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the night.' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon that I can to serve you." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the will not take me long to tell. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Holmes rather sternly. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which most interesting one." Watson," he said cordially. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the read it out to me." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the iron safe, which he closed upon it. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his this poor creature." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "You are certainly joking, Holmes." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure congratulate you again." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." despair." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "None." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Project Gutenberg-tm works. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as