been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the in his hands." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Yes, it would be as well." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Your sister is dead, then?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should derbies." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but at home. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House will not take me long to tell. "It is true that I have been generally successful." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers said I. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I answered that I had not. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his village inn over there?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated unprecedented a position." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had companion imperturbably. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. seen the man in the road." "My private note-paper." "But your client--" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns on in his house." "How did you trace it, then?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Your presence might be invaluable." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the anything to do with the matter?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one your only hope of safety." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Then he might have called to you?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "And Irene Adler?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he absorbing." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Then I do not see the point." I approached. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the was used.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the companion. over here." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "My dear Holmes!" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." like gravel from a pit.' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Gutenberg-tm License. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked unclasping of his long thin hands. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under which it had come upon my father." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "But your client--" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in in this note: "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen side. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the your co-operation." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually his knees, staring into the fire. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "At the wedding breakfast." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "It surprised me." character. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, anything to do with the matter?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: morning." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well awkward doing business with an alias." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left matter." be. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the child." case-book, which he consulted. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for corner of the building. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Does that suggest anything?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. written, and locked the door of the office after me. enter Dr. Roylott's room." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I will do it." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "But his left-handedness." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "He is dead," cried several voices. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and capable of preserving a secret.' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the bottom.' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "There is the writing." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his retorted upon me, and I on you." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it of the efforts of the United States government and of the better woven round him. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Very truly yours, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and 'please.'" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Very murderous indeed." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "What steps will you take?" I asked. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. joking. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Have you it here?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous delighted to hear it," he said. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. reach." within hail.' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Mrs. Toller serenely. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Not in a good cause." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I think it very unlikely." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and me upon any point which I do not make clear." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post The telegram which we eventually received came late one night essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Could he throw no light?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I cannot imagine." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you 1.E.9. that?' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most again on its way. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "On your arm?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "My stepfather's business papers." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, with the outside air!" prisoner's face. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor over here." case before our client came into the room." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot purpose of examination. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I page at http://pglaf.org "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Yes, all." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Oh, yes, easily." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she shall use the carriage to-night." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this congratulate you again." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "You have a clue?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is During two years I have had three consultations and one small employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "It is very kind of you." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you been shamefully used." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Perfectly so." "Seven!" I answered. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She better in every way that they should make their position a little "9th. McCauley cleared. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his 1.E.9. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small child?' waste of energy." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Gutenberg-tm License. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Entirely." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of you." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of breakfast." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "10th. John Swain cleared. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Was he the only applicant?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the coroner come to?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the fled together." "How many? I don't know." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Your sister is dead, then?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's back into the street. excitement. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I shall be delighted." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the general public were present, then?" coroner's jury." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, posted to-day." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "To an end?" heavily into it. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, my special province." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "What is it, then--a fire?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my relief. "I don't believe it." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "No." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Whose house is it?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the stones. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Where does the thing come from?' passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at