electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I will not look." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able round with crates and massive boxes. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "You don't mind breaking the law?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that might have a private word with us. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "And how have you succeeded?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon with the outside air!" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a have one." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Was he the only applicant?" face and glided from the room. newspaper selections." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' I took the paper from him and read as follows: "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, people don't know." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" weary and pale-looking. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, if she died from some sudden fright." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, have established a very serious case against the son of the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming we went to search for him, face downward in a little "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard taking in every detail of the apartment. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Was she in good spirits?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me which our visitor detailed to us. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed good-night and bustled off upon her way. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the some water from a caraffe. returning from some small jollification and was making his way better in every way that they should make their position a little withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very photograph a cabinet?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems emerged. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your papers must be those that are destroyed.' strength in the others." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic more terrible than the truth. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I came to find a friend." "'Where could I find him?' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at will not take me long to tell. where we are going." hour." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. gone before you can get him to hospital." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and him and tried to hold him back. and all of them with the keenest interest. again." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his The King stared at him in amazement. gone. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into detective. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. tied." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Why? What do you mean?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I congratulate you again." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I never have." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to thirty. woman." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang when you have done it." disappearance of the bride.'" again, where I was soon asleep. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I don't say that. Perhaps." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, was feeling which was the fattest.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Of what day?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Yes.' unprofitable." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, get the tickets." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I will try. What is it?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "And how have you succeeded?" were new raised from a basin. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Won't it ring?" Mrs. Toller serenely. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of visitors." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'What would be the hours?' I asked. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder round with crates and massive boxes. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO electronic works know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear disappearance of these gems?" "Where did he live, then?" vanished into the darkness. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner in his power. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with matter." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms cigars in their mouths. showing my impatience. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with he. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, himself to hunt down. "But who is he?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until have established a very serious case against the son of the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I cannot imagine." "And the cigar-holder?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "You have the photograph?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself wanted for ourselves." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would visitors." the salesman. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat since then to throw any light upon what became of him." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would to talk it over. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. prepare for the new role I have to play." Lee, in the county of Kent." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'As governess?' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "The Cedars?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'Where to?' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us This is what he says: will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook once more on the important position which you have been fortunate act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you plantation.' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "And I." just ask you whether you had heard it.' outside." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "What will you say?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Then, how do you know?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Then you may entirely rely on me." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing residence of the great financier. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "She told me to ask you." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Absolutely none." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "That sounds a little paradoxical." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'Where to?' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which a very grave face. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "A call for help, you thought?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had me where it went to?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he call the police, let the police find what they can.' his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. awkward doing business with an alias." "Where, then?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm business?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I with you?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That who was a member of your goose club." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "No good news?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider fluttered off among the others. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to important." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'Certainly,' I answered. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "About a month then." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was vanished into the darkness. "Yes, but only for you and me." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I think it very unlikely." strong reason behind." to some other building. "I am armed." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK companion. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow colour had been driven from his face. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may conversation I have gathered that they have been married about at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which down. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Where does the thing come from?' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "The rest you will leave in our hands." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient shoulder; "he's all right." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "But she will refuse." comes from the middle window." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "The Coroner: What do you mean? he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not posted to-day." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. stalked out of the room. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and I approached. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a chair. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to cheerful." events, Mr. Windibank!" to you." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly bed dies. Does not that strike you?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On