large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the ceiling. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken good-night and bustled off upon her way. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Henry Baker is a member." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "My dear Holmes!" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "In the cells." "Yes, but only for you and me." have had none more fantastic than this." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to annoyance, but no jest. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." when you have done it." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity quickly through a disagreeable task. returned to France?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "There are none." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "That also I could fathom." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." death." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. His smile broadened. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. chamber." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Have you her photograph?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a to his chemical studies. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, bell. Holmes whistled. was keenly on my guard against him. said he. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the kindly on the shoulder. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey in this note: "No good news?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and looked back. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. o'clock is it?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but such person." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no him, that man would not have given me such complete information handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the better in every way that they should make their position a little another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my spare." was a loud and authoritative tap. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of fasten all the windows?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "And why?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer his face. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Yes, sir." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad clanging. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was pressing in one house as in another. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some purpose equally well?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for strode off upon his way. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "My opinion is in no way altered." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Leave Paddington by the 11:15." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, locked." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, some terrible trap for her." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, one of them." the stable lane now." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Yes, certainly." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "My own seal." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Absolutely none." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Mary, has deserted me." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I have seen the police." eavesdroppers?' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." electronic works With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I am to be neutral?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "You saw the ventilator, too?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "No." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'What then?' I asked. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "You have compromised yourself seriously." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Where to?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "No, thank goodness, she did not." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "And that is--" at my own good fortune. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person hurried away. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his danger is over." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I would give my fortune to have them back." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet breakfast?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the Assizes." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" you?' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "She walked into the breakfast-room." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events tell him that I know him to be innocent." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "No." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time guilty one." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door perplexity from it to my illustrious client. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our face and glided from the room. his forehead." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "No." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the matter." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "It was a confession," I ejaculated. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." miles off. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Never." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "You are certainly joking, Holmes." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the hour?' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, lectures into a series of tales." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of flock.' way in." bedroom door." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'What do you call purely nominal?' look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the bachelor.' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on third from London." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "And how have you succeeded?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE more solid." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have swore that no one else had been in the front room during the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip to take care of herself." business?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "What then?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon maid will bring up your coffee." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a horse could go." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." is four-and-twenty." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between you came in." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by chance." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Witness: I must still refuse. when your master had gone out." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I hands. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a said I. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "You heard nothing yourself last night?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a could not have written that. It is the German who is so in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of arrangements." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "To an English lawyer named Norton." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "You forget that I know nothing about it." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My noting anything else of interest. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss only touch the interest." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "But you were on a friendly footing?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Most admirably.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I back to my heart. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Very truly yours, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at photograph?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who forecastle of an emigrant ship. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and child?' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry and a shock of very red hair. "That sounds a little paradoxical." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent