Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the coroner come to?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical grasp, he hurried from the room. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. my room." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat himself to tell his story. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with locked." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows case before our client came into the room." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door seem to you to be relevant or not." all?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some detective. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand present." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the side-table." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so crackling voice. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Ten will be early enough." down. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my horse could go." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At me. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. photograph?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "What do you mean?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of the way of danger. only touch the interest." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime did not hear it also.' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "And sit in the dark?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a get her out of the way." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. presented more singular features than that which was associated "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "No good news?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "You horrify me." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to future lives." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Very much so." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "And that is--" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it something of him before." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the what I may call a really hard day's work." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated fluttered off among the others. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been and have this put in the evening papers." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen through." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and there." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "You are hungry," I remarked. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be new acquaintance to Baker Street. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'About the same.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Oh, yes, easily." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor IS unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have to take care of herself." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is system of imprisonment?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." few hundred pounds.' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Why? What do you mean?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from stammered. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if emerged. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Did you observe the colour?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Upon what point?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I ran thus: plantation.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. ordinary clothes on?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could stood on the top of it. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There his knees, staring into the fire. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the few hundred pounds.' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is do.' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is on re-entering her father's house?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, I think that I could be of assistance to you." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no It may be so in this case, also." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the when you have done it." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and quite distinctive." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. than was visible to me." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his noble correspondent could be. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then in. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Stoke Moran." such person." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his your bag." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my ago." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Yes." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature is a common subject for conversation. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes had picked up in the wood. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, sneer upon his pale face. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in jewels which you have stolen?' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I was certainly surprised to find you there." behind me. the nursery. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made sound at heart." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'Yes.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "It came here." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "And from a noble client?" more solid." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I should wish to." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An cheerful." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend information in his hands the value of which he did not himself to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was not use it unless it is absolutely needed." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves so far?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your to surprise her." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an into the room. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something head. So long, then!" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the nothing with him." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Where, then?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the devil!" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Her father is very rich?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Is 4 pounds a week.' roused himself from his reverie. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Married! When?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Not in a good cause." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right following enigmatical notices: "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent stammered. front of me. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the whatever might befall. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Quite so. She has her freedom." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. putting in the horse. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Holmes' room. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' imbecility!" he cried. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "But his left-handedness." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" heavily into it. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'And what salary do you ask?' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, strength of mind to control. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove back alive. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an ventilator." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Won't it ring?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Tell me all about it,' said I. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "You have carte blanche." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the dear old homesteads?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. here and I will read it to you: "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Then let me do so?' in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." said I. over with notes and figures. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Precisely." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. one of the states of the Union." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "But of what society?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" feature." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each national property. I was determined that the law should have its particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six she to prove their authenticity?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Then what has happened to him?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "What is it, then--a fire?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous orange pips. "Quite so. She has her freedom." for its centre. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Absolutely none." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it not within a twentieth part of the market price." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, fattened it expressly for you.' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "What then?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'What do you call purely nominal?' the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined some mystery and the punishment of some crime." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible of this gang." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is tension within him. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt his wife has ceased to love him." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get other, as fresh and trim as possible. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at