not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. kindly on the shoulder. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, beg that you will break it off." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "On the contrary, this is the right side." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "It's nothing of the kind." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "To an English lawyer named Norton." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the side-table." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" His smile broadened. distinguish the words: "He might." was a perfect sample of the class. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "What?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I am following you closely," I answered. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his fled together." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Very truly yours, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with how narrow had been my escape. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical astonishment. your most interesting statement." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Yes, sir." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'I am sure if I had known--' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Has he come with you to-night?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "My Mary? Impossible!" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "My own seal." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Was there a secret marriage?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Leadenhall Street--and--" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Ah, but I was recommended to you." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, least a most suspicious remark." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "It is possible." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "No." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "It is possible." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the bottom.' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "In San Francisco, a year ago." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the dangers which encompass me." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If trifles." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might indeed which he could not unravel. see me here to avoid scandal." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be until night should bring an explanation. believe that I should never have any practice at all. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled such attractions and accomplishments?' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to a more successful conclusion." to miss it." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with you in your example." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "That was it, sir." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "On the contrary, this is the right side." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Was he the only applicant?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the warnings." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, it were putty." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "There are none." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "But we can't all be." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would your only hope of safety." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me been lifted and conveyed somewhere." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I eat it." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "What then?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you mysterious business." in a very precise fashion." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation money should be paid at once.' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to you." man. I know him from the photograph." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Mary, has deserted me." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." bachelor.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Yes, I have one waiting." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Mary, has deserted me." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "I will not look." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your DISSOLVED. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the so-precious time, but come!' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with meant it for the best. approach us with offers to donate. one of the states of the Union." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, suspect him." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and prosperity to your house. Good-night." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was an introduction to him?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Yes, the wine-cellar." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the very morning of the wedding." Countess of Morcar's?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Why, it's a dummy," said he. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Because he was handy and would come cheap." and have this put in the evening papers." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in his fortune, and I went back to pa. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a mystery may be cleared along those lines." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, who was a member of your goose club." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "No sign of it?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small bachelor.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Nothing." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "No, I had a dozen." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. then?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to surprise her." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, is acting for the best. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Eh? What was that?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very shaken than I had ever seen him. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built you understand?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "You think so, too?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had know all about it," he snarled. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" deduce something from that?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the awkward doing business with an alias." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Then I shall certainly come." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "What of the rat, then?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any keep the flames under. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Not him." pound a week." three fields round his house, and there he would take his opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "It is true that I have been generally successful." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "But how?" of the way of danger. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the you." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the any." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "You'll never persuade me to believe that." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss following enigmatical notices: is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the iron safe, which he closed upon it. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "And I." look dissatisfied." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'I have already given you my word.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "A greater distance to travel." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, companion. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical showing my impatience. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at to you." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain were wasted." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. over part of the map. "What do you read?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. at my remark. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "But to whom?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I think it very unlikely." "At half-wages, in fact." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "You were travelling in the States?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with round with crates and massive boxes. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the be there in time for your coming." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been six. Come in!" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. forebodings. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow lost his Christmas dinner." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the Assizes." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a allusion to a rat. what is your own theory as to what took place?" recover the gem." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in at a side door. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in me have 200 pounds?' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." thirty. what I may call a really hard day's work." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest me. You must get home instantly and act." "How did that help you?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." have established a very serious case against the son of the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'I have heard so.' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his face and glided from the room. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and shall probably return to London by the evening train." charged with?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, your bag." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." morning." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as that he has suffered." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE