accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "But of what society?" the coronet in his hands?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not orange pips. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to fasten all the windows?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point directors, with the result that you have seen." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Ha! you find it so?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are client, rising. "'Quite sure, dad.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he said I. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Pope's Court. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor anything to do with the matter?" true." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Yes." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, she might be summoned. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'Ten to two.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of she might be summoned. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really writer." "It looks newer than the other things?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and capable of preserving a secret.' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the During two years I have had three consultations and one small and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A wedding?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the child." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'It is locked up,' I answered. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "To an English lawyer named Norton." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until that you saw all that I did." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Edgeware Road. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in cigars in the box." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical about here speaks of his kindness to him." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common very old mansion. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Serpentine Avenue. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'In my own bureau.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he did not hear it also.' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were would apply.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Where did you address your letters, then?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "And I to find an enemy." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Yes." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from look upon these things in a different way." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I saw her in conversation with her maid." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "It looks newer than the other things?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to a more successful conclusion." room had already been engaged for us. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely until night should bring an explanation. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall conceal it?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. death." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into long narrative. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Clair, of Lee." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a 'please.'" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. be best to do. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "If so, much may have happened between." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "None." "Yes." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to within hail.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "None. Neville wrote those words." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "And is that all?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried in my life." outside. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** direction." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came was lame." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter trifles." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill business." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the running down." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The standing smiling on the door-step. and all of them with the keenest interest. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes front of me. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is a suggestive one." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." as he folded up the epistle. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of do.' in the port of London." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had compunction about shooting them down." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is thin legs towards the fire. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a infinite languor in his face. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility bore every mark of being an average commonplace British a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now room?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "You have but to name it." question. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its been able to understand it, in a very few words. mystery may be cleared along those lines." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant an introduction to him?" "It is half-past ten now." But Holmes shook his head gravely. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all burst out into a roar of laughter. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little in my life." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Gutenberg-tm License. Sholtos." lost nothing by them." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "We were both in the photograph." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Yes, but only for you and me." nights." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Clair, of Lee." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I should like to see him very much." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. relief. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the and no precautions can guard against." could gather together that I was able to avert another public the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons shall use the carriage to-night." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and with the outside air!" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I have seen the police." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had jewels which you have stolen?' there is a decided draught." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what matter over." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this woven round him. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "The murder was done with it." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "What, then, did Peterson do?" excitement. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was your equipment. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, extraordinary contortions. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it than to us. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found late." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" client, rising. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we chemical work which was so dear to him. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom unkempt, staring out at me. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "What! Had he lost his wife?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the window, rose as we entered. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the matter?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open disappearance of the bride.'" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "That sounds a little paradoxical." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning soul! here is her carriage at the door." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges this as likely?" "No." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Have you it here?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as points to suicide?" not personally threatened." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Yes, sir.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always tightly behind him. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man despaired of." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my undoubtedly my uncle's." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I charged with?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have grasp, he hurried from the room. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter a suggestive one." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a them present such singular features as the strange train of "It is possible." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens