light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly one of them." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting just ask you whether you had heard it.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it brought there to personate someone, and the real person is very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over was once confined in the cab my mission was practically dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I shall be delighted." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is infinite languor in his face. weary and pale-looking. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Foundation pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "And sit in the dark?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never not as remarkable as your advertisement." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to trifles." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her which our visitor detailed to us. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" matter." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given considering the formidable letters which were received by himself last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard like that before?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." been shamefully used." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and with her." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Of Friday, June 19th." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining future lives." business at Coburg Square is serious." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "She told me to ask you." never will be, entirely cleared up. "I say it is." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after simple cases which are so extremely difficult." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation matter over." said he. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both a good hundred miles off by now." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself true." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Game for a morning drive?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that that have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down indiscretion." you, my dear young lady?' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole would apply.' anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions where Mr. Fordham shows you.' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." disturbance in my wife." "No." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It than was visible to me." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "It goes to the housekeeper's room." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine certainly do as you advise." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Certainly." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that present." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one society." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very with some details as to your case." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Do you know him?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is my friend's incisive reasoning. against a man in the prime of life?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the very morning of the wedding." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding money should be paid at once.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, crowd. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "And your father? Did you tell him?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Yes." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and glanced through. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed tension within him. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty distance from the station, and there we found the young lady thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Yes, it was twisted." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a asked. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce drove away. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one open." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared allusion to a rat. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the room while you explain this matter?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, there." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "VIOLET HUNTER." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so have established a very serious case against the son of the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in green of the new foliage. them?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "No, I am descending." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I garden below. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four approach us with offers to donate. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Why did you pick him?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "And how in the world did you find them?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his he bowed and left the room without another word. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his third from London." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'There is a drive, then?' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose me upon any point which I do not make clear." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me crime." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email signal between you and your father? I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "What shall I do?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE obstinate." gentleman's clothes. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Why serious?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands heavily into it. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick which are rolled in Rotterdam." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "What can you not understand?" IS "And what did you learn from him?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in him." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the about. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Was the window open?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "My Mary? Impossible!" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about as noiselessly as she had come. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "To the police?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I have my revolver," said I. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the inner apartment." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Why did you beat the pavement?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "What!" he roared. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." system of imprisonment?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." is," said he presently: hair?' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, telegram would bring me down to your help." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Dirty?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Ample.' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in in the dead of the night?' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a hopeless attempt at recovering them." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away gone. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without http://gutenberg.net/license). "What, then, did Peterson do?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper passage and a tap at the door. Watson," he said cordially. sufficient punishment." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone which was all perfectly true. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my is so. I know all about McCarthy." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. bird I ate is country bred." "To the police?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw true." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods prove to be little relation between the different incidents of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "I have hopes." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you was feeling which was the fattest.' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a charged with?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "VIOLET HUNTER." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do