"See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "It is very kind of you." "Nothing." there." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Ample." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Holmes." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time some terrible trap for her." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she place of silver." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "But who is he?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" guilty parties." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the depend upon your compliance." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black to that open window." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "But his lameness?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very The telegram which we eventually received came late one night congratulate you again." grasp, he hurried from the room. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple whole matter to your consideration." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been What do you deduce from it?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and that he would see to anything that turned up. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is open." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. such person." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': my room." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some politicians who had been sent down from the North. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. standing smiling on the door-step. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the stable lane now." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been of it with the greatest attention. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very I. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "What, then, did Peterson do?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "But I am all in the dark." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Literary Archive Foundation late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "And you thought he was pulled back?" "By train from Waterloo." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the loss of it. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'In my own bureau.' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, chambers. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes coroner's jury." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and what do you think they found in the pockets?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has strength." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive direction." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "He is still with you, I presume?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. dramatic, in fact." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "You will not go there first?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the iron safe, which he closed upon it. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the drove away. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "His face fell immediately. be. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I should be immensely obliged to you." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." himself to hunt down. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks heavily into it. observed. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of gigantic client. felt?" "I am in hopes that she does." the running down." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were works. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "It is no ordinary one." "What! a murderous attack?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The chemical work which was so dear to him. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went nice household for a young lady." "Entirely." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Do you receive much company?" he asked. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking handed it to him. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, to arrive at through this?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "He is dead," cried several voices. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been shaken than I had ever seen him. daring than any effort of the imagination." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Yes, it was twisted." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "You don't mind breaking the law?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Street. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and all of them with the keenest interest. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, crowd. "Your French gold?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out License. You must require such a user to return or "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Lestrade of Scotland Yard." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Just look it up, then." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking late." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It is very clear." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Certainly." over here." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good gentleman's clothes. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." out of this horrible affair." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for The events in question occurred in the early days of my or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my tied." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'As governess?' "You horrify me!" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I don't believe it." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always your billet.' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the ceiling. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I should like to see him very much." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our when you have done it." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our since then to throw any light upon what became of him." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom shall not find me ungrateful." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and awaited us upon the table. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this woman." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, interests were the same as his." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here in his power. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which have got?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular 11:15.' "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "And now?" He raised his hand. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "But how?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such enough to aid us in our search." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "What do you make of that, Watson?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed certainly do as you advise." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "10th. John Swain cleared. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the coroner come to?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the your billet.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." there." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He hard-headed British jury." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the she used." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Will you go?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" man. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from frequently gained my first real insight into the character of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Ah!" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Yes, he did." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of and I shall be with you presently." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Where is it, then?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "That's no good." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "You think so, too?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right and prosperity to your house. Good-night." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to in the dead of the night?' grasp, he hurried from the room. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Always." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily not personally threatened." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Was there a secret marriage?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." IS "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Yes. He waved his hands." "'And the work?' compunction about shooting them down." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a giving me time to thank him. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn rose-bushes. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very your sleep?' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that presented which may be striking and bizarre without being for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a down. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "No." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do at once, for I have only half an hour." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I should like to see him very much." she used." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and any more." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the recover the gem." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something residence of the great financier. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you