a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that useful material for showing traces. The double line a little of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "None. Neville wrote those words." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Clair, of Lee." October 9, 1890. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Where does the thing come from?' with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked wedding?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Has he come with you to-night?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the very letters. But what is this written above them?' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the once more to my work. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to away to you." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "I cannot tell." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" shall not find me ungrateful." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present acquaintance?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in the port of London." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There lumber-room." like that before?" "And Miss Sutherland?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Nothing." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Eh? What was that?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the discontent upon his features. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "How many? I don't know." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The characteristics, but those are the more obvious." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "But I am all in the dark." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers three fields round his house, and there he would take his farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard despaired of." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I am still in the dark." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and views." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission business." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy fish-monger and a tide-waiter." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, my secret was safe in his possession. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "And on what day did he meet his death?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Was there a secret marriage?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I am following you closely," I answered. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and for the market.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the you." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across then?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or completely overtopped every other consideration that we both twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Pray continue your narrative." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, made his money." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. is," said he presently: went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the little opening for the ventilator is." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "To the police?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in least a most suspicious remark." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what generous with you in money matters.' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. this as likely?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I assure you that I am in your hands." the coroner come to?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he But Holmes shook his head gravely. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I cannot think." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" gone. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. hurried by. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in your only hope of safety." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Pray do so." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon who was a member of your goose club." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "He said too much." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may ways of our fellow-men." on re-entering her father's house?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than unkempt, staring out at me. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Henry Baker is a member." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'Why that?' I asks. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I should like to see him very much." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "And did you observe any change in her then?" had picked up in the wood. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'Certainly,' I answered. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George delighted to hear it," he said. "How did he come?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. questioning and rather startled gaze. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. written, and locked the door of the office after me. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham now. It seems that there had been some informality about their time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged future lives." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't his fortune, and I went back to pa. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Ha! you find it so?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "How are you getting on?" gone. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I that you saw all that I did." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." made him keep the appointment." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It copied or distributed: eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future in this note: the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to sooner or later she must fall a victim. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature national property. I was determined that the law should have its "How did you trace it, then?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I have solved it." danger is over." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have will find little credit to be gained out of this case." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "But what is it you wish?" "The Cedars?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to matter." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Then he might have called to you?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George think that he is innocent?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless again." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "What will you do, then?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Holmes." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." and capable of preserving a secret.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Nothing?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may of a light. of this gang." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my one or two very singular points about this room. For example, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "No sign of it?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to was a lad." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as drove away. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our business at Coburg Square is serious." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." you." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Miss Holder?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, upon an income of about 60 pounds." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to morning." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret behind me. the coronet at all injured?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. said he. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. these bleak autumnal evenings." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per them, and came down just as you departed. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, neither fascinating nor artistic." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly had a long day." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the figure." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "He said that you could solve anything." "At the wedding breakfast." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid do.' carpenter." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in to have been novel and of interest." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'What do you call purely nominal?' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. in his power. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a advice." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a from the brougham. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, me upon any point which I do not make clear." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle four million human beings all jostling each other within the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready are, I think, all that we need." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, sound at heart." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they me upon any point which I do not make clear." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Certainly." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Yes." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if woman." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. voice, changing her seat as requested. directly by questioning you." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable union?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it not come at once?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the dangers which encompass me." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "The doctor?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Well." clanging. "Was she in good spirits?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the his eyes and forehead. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had done what I asked you, Jones?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." words came to my lips. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and we went to search for him, face downward in a little the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." in darkness. your troubles." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. bill, which interests me deeply." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here depend upon your compliance." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'Why that?' I asks. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Stoke Moran?" said he. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I would pay ten." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I