child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his your equipment. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and a shock of very red hair. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between You want to know what became of those geese?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a made him keep the appointment." humiliation." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint answered with a sidelong glance. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Street. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "The vanishing of the lady." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "None." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Sutherland. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were appeal." with her." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than crime. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? my friend's incisive reasoning. is acting for the best. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the date of his supposed suicide." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old side. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned see a sister of mine apply for." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "We must sit without light. He would see it through the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to main points of my analysis." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'What would be the hours?' I asked. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the disappearance of the bride.'" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My people in all walks of life. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece McCarthy." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "And what did you see?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, I leave." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the delighted to hear it," he said. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "And leave your case unfinished?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "You have compromised yourself seriously." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." jewels which you have stolen?' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what I held the little printed slip to the light. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. do." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Again Holmes raved in the air. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Edgeware Road. have an American origin." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of said he. that threaten you." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "We were both in the photograph." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Frequently." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its page at http://pglaf.org photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'What are you doing there?' he asked. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "No. His orders were to stay in the house." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and of it with the greatest attention. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set lectures into a series of tales." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a not within a twentieth part of the market price." and your relations to her." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and forehead. "It is a murder, then?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean fatally injured? metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled served to weaken the effect. "To ruin me." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons our word." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Thank you. And your address?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four that you saw all that I did." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. gone before you can get him to hospital." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "VIOLET HUNTER." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "None. Neville wrote those words." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in them?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Where to?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said chance at all." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a dates and names. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A tension within him. shoulder. "'I am sure that I do not know.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, to tell." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "The vanishing of the lady." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which be best to do. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to business." "Have you it here?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect detained." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not 1.E.9. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I I was concerned in it." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'As governess?' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be it. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the washing it down with a long draught of water. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked three of the beryls in it, was missing. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together you." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." more solid." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. of receipt of the work. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who before the coroner and the police-court." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every infinite languor in his face. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the his knees, staring into the fire. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was distinguish the words: "Yes, it would be as well." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I am sure." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my all that?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I say it is." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a foot. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, hand, madam?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew new duties?' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my cigars in the box." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "'Is purely nominal.' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Stoke Moran." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and effective." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst shall not find me ungrateful." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "You think so, too?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the think, you have already met." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He about here speaks of his kindness to him." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Very much so." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." cigars in the box." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much was used.' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your fait accompli?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. congenial hunt. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "And that is--" me. You must get home instantly and act." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly likely to be some crony of the landlady's." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush not as remarkable as your advertisement." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that vault. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." John Swain, of St. Augustine. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful delighted to hear it," he said. "I am following you closely," I answered. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is colonel looking down at me. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas see me here to avoid scandal." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "That also I could fathom." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then lumber-room." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a disturbance in my wife." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose 'I should be able to look after that for you.' hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Ample." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa I shall continue with my miserable story. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a for and were ordered to this address. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you matter." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no colonel looking down at me. maid will bring up your coffee." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the stable lane now." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly I think that I could be of assistance to you." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to surprise her." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens yet." "Breckinridge is his name." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll gbnewby@pglaf.org "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "How do you know, then?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the window, rose as we entered. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "And how have you succeeded?" trying to your nerves." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Yes, sir." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "What then?" "I am armed." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Pray be precise as to details," said he. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done should be taken.' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms were unconscious?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Absolutely?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and one else, I think." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name