You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been joking. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "And how?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the village inn over there?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'Why that?' I asks. morning." all that?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in key turn in the lock." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Ah!" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." direction." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Perfectly so." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I am all attention, madam." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his entirely devoid of interest." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm fishes. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something light and attacked it." "And your mother is alive?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, your own bird, so if you wish--" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own returned to France?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers nonsense.' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a who was a member of your goose club." never came back." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Why? What do you mean?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running very old mansion. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? drove away. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for is a common subject for conversation. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to miss it." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The kind enough to tell me what I should do." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Oh, yes, easily." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "It is possible." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I am in hopes that she does." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the felt?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may had formerly been in part my own. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "It is possible." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope himself. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Then you may entirely rely on me." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Proceed, then." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and mysterious business." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no passage and a tap at the door. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to back into the street. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. sparkled upon his finger. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and said he. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I cannot tell." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "This concluded the examination of the witness." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just crime." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Precisely so. But how--" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a chambers. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "This photograph!" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the situation." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "It is to him that this trophy belongs." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" other means.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel would apply.' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." bearing upon the case." flock.' "Have you it here?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Yes, he did." "Really! You surprise me." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late characteristics, but those are the more obvious." ready to-morrow?' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he said he, "my real name is James Ryder." thin legs towards the fire. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Certainly." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Mrs. Toller serenely. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the inner apartment." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of four million human beings all jostling each other within the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's colonel looking down at me. in one or two places in England?' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Nothing?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and one of them." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking he bowed and left the room without another word. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property kindly on the shoulder. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a him to be an active member of the medical profession." "What will you say?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and shall probably return to London by the evening train." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an hour?' course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three side. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "The best possible." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell maiden herself was most instructive." the matter?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens infinite languor in his face. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Murdered?" key of the affair now." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "At the wedding breakfast." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." DISSOLVED. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." three fields round his house, and there he would take his caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. long narrative. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "When did it break out?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste papers must be those that are destroyed.' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "She told me to ask you." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "No." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Never." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I have seen the police." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Yes, he did." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in brain must have something in it." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a During two years I have had three consultations and one small foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Farm upon the left." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may here and I will read it to you: down from London to inquire more deeply into it." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable congratulate you again." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had notes," he said. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" case before our client came into the room." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple foot. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "She showed me, as I told you she would." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped place of silver." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "How often?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'There is a drive, then?' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He could go. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Stoke Moran." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he place no limit on the sum I may draw." my special province." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Indeed! Whose, then?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to on in his house." "At half-wages, in fact." "Where did he live, then?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, hour." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Perhaps I have." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Sutherland. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Not social, then?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "You saw the ventilator, too?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away which should have the effect of calling the attention of the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Ha! you find it so?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I think it very unlikely." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, case-book, which he consulted. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at During two years I have had three consultations and one small across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle speckled band?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The woman." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "None." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their morning." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Literary Archive Foundation "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "One of his hands." "Yes, I have one waiting." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. lost his Christmas dinner." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "It is possible." "It is true that I have been generally successful." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself