companion quietly. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Sholtos." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter fire. You quite follow me?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and unprofitable." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Very murderous indeed." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for soul! here is her carriage at the door." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, details." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, said he. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which following enigmatical notices: is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. had picked up in the wood. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the coronet in his hands?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "So I heard. You have him here?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Pray let us have it, for all that." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It is no ordinary one." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove unclasping of his long thin hands. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is leaning back in his chair. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our into her hand at the door and which lured her within their unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Ample." "Yes." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Only as much as we can deduce." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom this unhappy family?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That I took the paper from him and read as follows: here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and from you?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "One?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that are, I think, all that we need." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Of Friday, June 19th." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the intrusion of other matters." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Eyford." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Stolen, then." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." call it cruel." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought are, I think, all that we need." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my touch that coronet?' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had you, my dear young lady?' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "What! Had he lost his wife?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. looking up at the numbers of the houses." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could I shall communicate with you." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon married her." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I was mad--insane." occupations.' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the bed, and you in that chair." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "What do you make of that, Watson?" "He is dead," cried several voices. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one too. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. you." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in he. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I cannot tell." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is security.' the child." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly even of instruction." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "She walked into the breakfast-room." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "You horrify me!" "On your arm?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy For additional contact information: practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "And help." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might you." bare slabs of marble. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" fled together." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit I nodded to show that I had heard. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress approach us with offers to donate. emerged. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Yes, but only for you and me." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the article?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the without a word or a look. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "But how?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the Assizes." call you and give you the chance." Street. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and that he would see to anything that turned up. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the dates and names. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Where, then?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to-night?' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I cannot imagine." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then was feeling which was the fattest.' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, neither fascinating nor artistic." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "What do you mean?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, towards the blaze. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the generous with you in money matters.' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "How did you trace it, then?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Then you may be so with me." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel late." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort she might be summoned. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I fear not." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will was not a bird to be seen there. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than enter into my head. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went delighted to hear it," he said. could not have written that. It is the German who is so mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "And now?" I asked. "Where to?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." or in danger--" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "We must have a cab." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but pictures, libraries, or plate. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "It is a murder, then?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend she has been waylaid. There has been no result." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "What is it, then--a fire?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "You have a clue?" distinguish the words: photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'Yes, I promise.' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "To the police?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing guilty parties." 'please.'" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Quite so. She has her freedom." ordinary clothes on?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I am in hopes that she does." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Watson," he said cordially. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, with you alone." clanging. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "But you can know nothing of this?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Holmes' thin, eager face. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest are, I think, all that we need." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" we went to search for him, face downward in a little not come at once?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Of Friday, June 19th." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "The murder was done with it." politicians who had been sent down from the North. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At in this note: "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked call for it in person on Monday morning.' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "And the cigar-holder?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul forbidden door. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Precisely so. But how--" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were and I shall be with you presently." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not matters immensely." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I do." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass was the fact that his father should, according to his account, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project possible that we could bring him back to her? "Get out!" said he. "Who was the criminal, then?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some strength in the others." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his business." "I never have." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the nursery. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor back to my heart. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at directly by questioning you." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and put his glass in his pocket. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and