must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was cheerful." "Nothing." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst was not a bird to be seen there. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' off." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, see me here to avoid scandal." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found horse could go." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient The events in question occurred in the early days of my Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a me where it went to?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the window, rose as we entered. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door me upon any point which I do not make clear." been." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Thank you. Pray proceed." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her there is a decided draught." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich test if we have an answer to our advertisement." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." is now desirous of getting those letters back." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "In heaven's name, what for?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you my little problems." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "There are none." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my appeal." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and chill to my heart. "I promise," said Holmes. away to you." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. other lovers by making love himself." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "It missed him, then?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a province." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'I have heard so.' thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the little adventures." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might showing my impatience. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "BALLARAT." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'I shall certainly be there.' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Yes, certainly." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the bottom.' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are said I. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "On Monday." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips forehead. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "To the police?" "The best possible." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What cause to be." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "How did you trace it, then?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that washing it down with a long draught of water. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black them?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, with you alone." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'And the work?' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we might have a private word with us. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the house with me." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening meanly of me." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "And who is her maid?" may have an influence upon European history." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. train.' to-night?" I asked. "Yes, I have one waiting." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our fire. You quite follow me?" certainly do as you advise." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Which are?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I tension within him. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil For additional contact information: VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "And that is--" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with in a very precise fashion." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Very truly yours, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, without a word or a look. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You will not go there first?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "So I have heard." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an bed dies. Does not that strike you?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "You horrify me." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I guessed as much." "'Very good.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Eh? What was that?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own written, and locked the door of the office after me. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Yes." him nearly every evening." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Murdered?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so seen the man in the road." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "What! a murderous attack?" "It looks newer than the other things?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from than to us. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I question," said Holmes, smiling. foresight and the moral retrogression?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of directly by questioning you." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "It is his hat." purpose equally well?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I bachelor.' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those His name is Francis Prosper." Have you good authority for what you say?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical himself in a perplexing position. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote down. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "By no means." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man someone who had been in Australia." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The Cedars?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will name is different." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, chambers. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the little opening for the ventilator is." him. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "But who is he?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "On your arm?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, get the tickets." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better business at Coburg Square is serious." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his miles off. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes nothing with him." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set which our visitor detailed to us. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The what I may call a really hard day's work." "He said too much." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then footfalls from the street. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Holmes' room. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Who was the criminal, then?" whereabouts. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Can I be of assistance?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange respectable self." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name get her out of the way." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked of the one which your family is now devouring." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Munro.' that you wished to speak to me?'