"I was sure that I might rely on you." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "How did you deduce the select?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the coronet at all injured?" light and attacked it." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such be sorry for having acted so harshly." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a his face. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together do.' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, together. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me breakfast and whispered something to her husband. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Then I am your man." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this not personally threatened." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich ventilator." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for him." you." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "The rest you will leave in our hands." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "10th. John Swain cleared. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker these bleak autumnal evenings." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to until night should bring an explanation. there!' another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." that?' from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the might help us?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless when your master had gone out." me have 200 pounds?' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the house with me." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall wedding?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Frequently." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the ceiling. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether interested in these little problems, and since you are good The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "And your mother is alive?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and long narrative. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, out of this horrible affair." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Eyford." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very morning." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "You horrify me." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was plantation.' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" way: him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, presented more singular features than that which was associated given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "And I say east," said my patient. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Come in!" said he. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, interests were the same as his." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "But his left-handedness." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Mary, has deserted me." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, how narrow had been my escape. "One?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves astonishment. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into noting anything else of interest. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of second." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was whether it answered to the description of any of their "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, overpowering excitement and concern. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some The King stared at him in amazement. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the way: in your London, you will know that the office of the company is society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and made him keep the appointment." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you trying to your nerves." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" really the only notable feature about the thing." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to straightened it out again. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened bears upon the case?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Nothing." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "What do you make of that, Watson?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "But you can know nothing of this?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Mary, has deserted me." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark nice household for a young lady." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "That is easily got." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your humiliation." said I. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a could go. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all ago." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled speckled band?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves about here speaks of his kindness to him." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am in a friendly supper." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Is he quiet?" hurried by. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope ashen face. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Yesterday." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Not in a good cause." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" some terrible trap for her." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when *** START: FULL LICENSE *** cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A him to go away.' families. Now for the facts. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the on in his house." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have nonsense.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, client, rising. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to felt the room to be a little close.' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from pressing in one house as in another. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to bedroom door." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I been shamefully used." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little shaken than I had ever seen him. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Ample." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "My stepfather's business papers." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a attention." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and woven round him. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "No, finished." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the bed, and you in that chair." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an row." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter salesman. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE business matters.' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to you." own family. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each other means.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, existence." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as before, for it was considerably after midnight. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Holmes' room. "And who is her maid?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when your most interesting statement." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "My photograph." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Why? What do you mean?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "But his lameness?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I have solved it." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Your presence might be invaluable." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco our word." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid spare." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, me. You must get home instantly and act." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "No, I think that I'll take it." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very yourselves in at night?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present matters immensely." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Clair, of Lee." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do was once confined in the cab my mission was practically should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "And did you observe any change in her then?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. character. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Does that suggest anything?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "No." as yours." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between call for it in person on Monday morning.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Very good.' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "And why?" to talk it over.