Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" definite end. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "It is half-past ten now." throat." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." other lovers by making love himself." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a out of this horrible affair." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." appointment with me for six o'clock?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project details should find their way into the papers. Inspector tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of when your master had gone out." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, outside. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to a more successful conclusion." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Then you may entirely rely on me." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for investigation." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the stable lane now." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "My dear Holmes!" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most tell them apart.' "I am to be neutral?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood ourselves in the office." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "But who is he?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "By no means." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The weary and pale-looking. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "The King of Scandinavia." "Very murderous indeed." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Mrs. Toller serenely. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the tragedy. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the lamp. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I have a cab outside." "No, but the enclosure is." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "One?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "About a month then." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "That is unusual in a young girl." gigantic client. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. better in every way that they should make their position a little "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old nothing of it?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton fish-monger and a tide-waiter." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts singular points about the case. What did the police think of the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Then you may be so with me." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he goes." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he villagers almost as much as their master. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban had picked up in the wood. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. more terrible than the truth. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the inner apartment." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the house with me." soul! here is her carriage at the door." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. suspect him." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without occurred." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can until night should bring an explanation. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as fear." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to I held the little printed slip to the light. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'How far from the body?' page at http://pglaf.org are, I think, all that we need." asked with his eyes open. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at place no limit on the sum I may draw." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the south-west, I see." "Game for a morning drive?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith fait accompli?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Nor running a chance of arrest?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'Yes, sir.' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "And when will you call?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "To the police?" jewels which you have stolen?' light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of less than 26s. 4d. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated and have this put in the evening papers." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Eh? What was that?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family developed." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or hardly wander." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the window, rose as we entered. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little amused." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I papers on the sundial.'" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Where does the thing come from?' official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house girl said." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my had this final quarrel? girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached outside. "An enemy?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I cannot think." village inn over there?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to photograph a cabinet?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a strode off upon his way. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "And the cigar-holder?" never came back." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Well, but China?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "I am about to be married." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my not as remarkable as your advertisement." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm lost nothing by them." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "And I to find an enemy." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the any little problem which you may submit to me." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and who was a member of your goose club." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small once more for Briony Lodge. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and occupations.' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "What office?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons second." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "So I heard. You have him here?" families. Now for the facts. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "And how have you succeeded?" "No, I am descending." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle skylight. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of your young ladies.' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "But what will you do?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's one which it was hard to resist. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large what I may call a really hard day's work." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up was lame." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Upon what point?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable conceal it?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Heh?' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "You forget that I know nothing about it." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you official police." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever I nodded to show that I had heard. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight at my own good fortune. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a with you alone." you?' strength." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the III. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of strength." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the night.' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some seen the man in the road." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "But she could not love him." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat voice, changing her seat as requested. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the loss of it. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "And the murderer?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the call for it in person on Monday morning.' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the best of training." "Will you go?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found mystery." Street. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. this Miss Turner." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in