"It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the signal between you and your father? over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply events, Mr. Windibank!" "Look there!" said he. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: could go. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend now. It seems that there had been some informality about their was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in photograph a cabinet?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "No. What a strange idea!" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens as he remarks, very much against the son." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Texas, I think." four million human beings all jostling each other within the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Whose house is it?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such chair. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which forebodings. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate have not had my rubber." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Project Gutenberg-tm works. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "You horrify me." you." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He him. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. some terrible trap for her." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I think that it is very probable." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement wedding?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "It is very kind of you." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "What office?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Nothing?" directors, with the result that you have seen." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I his face which made him a very different person to the round, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "And you don't know his address?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to go--none." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. brain must have something in it." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the quite distinctive." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my see a sister of mine apply for." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle shoulder. His smile broadened. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by think that he is innocent?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them might help us?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'You cannot say what it was?' The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the date of his supposed suicide." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you this Miss Turner." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered and laid it on the table. people don't know." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually weapon." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who will take you up to see the machine.' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'I am sure that I do not know.' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. read it out to me." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "His face fell immediately. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was be. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'And the work?' One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and said I. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "My dear Holmes!" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying his forehead." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And who was a member of your goose club." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the what these perils are?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "And how did he make his money?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, time." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "It missed him, then?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. do you make of it all?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Yes." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave astonishment. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters detective. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Yes, from Horsham." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch this man was intellectual?" golden eyeglasses. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. results." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" business." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was absorbing." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and which it had come upon my father." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "You heard nothing yourself last night?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "It is half-past ten now." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the bottom.' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Married! When?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an views." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Not I." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Yes, sir." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and if I call to-morrow?" whereabouts. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster showing my impatience. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "It is very kind of you." interest. They are important, you understand, without being bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have for and were ordered to this address. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was enough to aid us in our search." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. highly," said Holmes. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. bare slabs of marble. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the him nearly every evening." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "It came here." his forehead." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which delighted to hear it," he said. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is cigar and let me expound." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I am about to be married." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the coronet in his hand?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Very murderous indeed." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger McCarthy." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "My private note-paper." all-comprehensive glances. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the would apply.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but was not a bird to be seen there. call you and give you the chance." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into allusion to a rat. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their young Openshaw's." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Yes, it would be as well." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Eyford at 11:15.' "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "The landlord of the Alpha." stammered. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all sufficient punishment." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Quite so." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both there!' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, details." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes with frightened eyes at his accuser. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is breakfast?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the at my own good fortune. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of my special province." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Nothing?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, guilty one." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely a room. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." arrested. You then--" direction." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the I held the little printed slip to the light. made his money." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. lamp. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important future lives." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Was she in good spirits?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'I have heard so.' again, where I was soon asleep. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from