"I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must bird I ate is country bred." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I will, Miss Turner." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, been able to understand it, in a very few words. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own envelope. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and for the market.' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple which our visitor detailed to us. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Have you good authority for what you say?" "A client, then?" Serpentine Avenue. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "You heard nothing yourself last night?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you I am not easy in my mind about them." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "But what harm can there be in that?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Perhaps I have." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "But she will refuse." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, footfalls from the street. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the nursery. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'As governess?' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 all-comprehensive glances. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing here and I will read it to you: near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, certainly not very gracious." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the outside. leave you to your papers for a little." married her." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing garden below. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "None." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. get her out of the way." ordinary clothes on?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I never came back." ashen face. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an friend's singular character. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of about. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "How can you tell that?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally be best to do. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. did not hear it also.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Yes." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Oh, yes, easily." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "But his left-handedness." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, congenial hunt. begun to whiten, even as mine has." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I crackling voice. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, better in every way that they should make their position a little "I am about to be married." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said gone before you can get him to hospital." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up window when the police appeared." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish used to be." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we him nearly every evening." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting voice. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "It came here." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The must compliment you." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'Yes.' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Has he come with you to-night?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I saw her in conversation with her maid." were wasted." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander *** START: FULL LICENSE *** suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my will find little credit to be gained out of this case." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Holmes, the busybody!" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child empty. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Yes, at the mines." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock call it cruel." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Project Gutenberg-tm works. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Entirely." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your companion imperturbably. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, very morning of my second wedding." "But it has twice been burgled." "Married! When?" be. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of it right.' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." out." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Certainly, madam." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had together. "Married! When?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Only as much as we can deduce." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry his huge brown hands. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "To an end?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the coronet in his hand?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he States. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the have had none more fantastic than this." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must security.' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Certainly." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which furiously. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "When did she vanish, then?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "And sit in the dark?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John been." of your young ladies.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Nothing?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. felt the room to be a little close.' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "What do you mean?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as searched, without anything being found which could incriminate said I. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double highroad, where all traces were lost. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the best of training." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had chance." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." of Mr. Rucastle's." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind astonishment. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "And what did you see?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Eyford at 11:15.' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" astonishment. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "It must be recovered." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "One?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, man. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "That also I could fathom." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "But he might be a bachelor." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and everything which you would wish to know." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Won't it ring?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. did not hear it also.' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Really! You surprise me." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This have been better. It is all right." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic quickly through a disagreeable task. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round constraint." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "At half-wages, in fact." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general himself in a perplexing position. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him before, for it was considerably after midnight. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was never to learn it at all." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the with some details as to your case." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at investigation." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "No bad?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the night.' business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "An enemy?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small persecution?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Never." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get burst out into a roar of laughter. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled it." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Of what day?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has away into the river." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "What is it?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. been shamefully used." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting with the outside air!" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last invisible to me," I remarked. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Stolen, then." "I see no marks." voice. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Then how many are there?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "You'll never persuade me to believe that." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with opportunities to fix the problem. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Which are?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, other means.' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'Certainly not. But why?' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between a monotonous occupation." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been figure." "Come in!" said he. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "My Mary? Impossible!" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. annoyance, but no jest. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." chance at all." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little threw himself down with his face to the pillow. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of plantation.' so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment His name is Francis Prosper." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "But to whom?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the read over the extraordinary announcement. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Married! When?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Indeed! Whose, then?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes entirely lost his self-respect." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'Tell me all about it,' said I. off." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to records." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "The least sound would be fatal to our plans."