success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to giving me time to thank him. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "My Mary? Impossible!" "You forget that I know nothing about it." third from London." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Edgeware Road. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Will you bet, then?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had pressing in one house as in another. "Was there a secret marriage?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little business." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'No, I know no one in these parts.' be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than interest. They are important, you understand, without being once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Was your sister dressed?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I answer." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "By no means." definite end. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, IS the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "You have compromised yourself seriously." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." in darkness. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these directors have had misgivings upon the subject." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water allusion to a rat. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Of what?" even of instruction." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I electronic works "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In your Highness to the police-station?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all some terrible trap for her." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the leaning back in his chair. people in all walks of life. "She will not sell." all that?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "We were both in the photograph." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white most important business. It is probable that he will be away all glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the best of training." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am noise which awoke you from your sleep?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to outside." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one child?' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "To the police?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little from the brougham. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been pressing in one house as in another. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "What, then?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "But I am all in the dark." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Yes, at the mines." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'Stolen!' he cried. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the child." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'Never,' said I. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and should be so warm over such a trifle." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of me upon any point which I do not make clear." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. wedding?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "You think that he is dead?" one which it was hard to resist. husband's writing, madam." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some here." 1.E.9. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united have established a very serious case against the son of the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of tightly behind him. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. it." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon upon the shelf for the interim." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would my special province." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of bled considerably." "Oh, yes, easily." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to handed it to him. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to gives a meaning to it." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have out of this horrible affair." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' rat could hardly pass through." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'Not at all. I only doubt--' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them someone who had been in Australia." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And during which he might have communicated with his friend the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "The knees of his trousers." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it not as remarkable as your advertisement." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and events than those which have happened in my own family." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Yes, only one." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own held up the lantern and gazed about him. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the served to weaken the effect. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been works. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "And now?" He raised his hand. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining served to weaken the effect. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name electronic works "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, ourselves in the office." and all of them with the keenest interest. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve do.' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has was feeling which was the fattest.' was keenly on my guard against him. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "And on what day did he meet his death?" was a perfect sample of the class. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'Why that?' I asks. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in at once, for I have only half an hour." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs since then to throw any light upon what became of him." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in begin with, and I had not got mine yet." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend peculiar to him. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "What will you say?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes intrusion of other matters." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been yet." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was place no limit on the sum I may draw." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have overpowering excitement and concern. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him over with notes and figures. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet some mystery and the punishment of some crime." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' quite distinctive." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "The best possible." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little humiliation." the stones. "The Coroner: What do you mean? His name is Francis Prosper." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'What would be the hours?' I asked. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very row." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "And help." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "That is easily got." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I don't believe it." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the occupations.' little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "And how did you verify them?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a photograph a cabinet?" easy-going way." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Sutherland?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, never came back." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I beg pardon." you give your casting vote to?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason believe that I should never have any practice at all. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I better in every way that they should make their position a little better in every way that they should make their position a little who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy bell. Holmes whistled. my friend's incisive reasoning. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'Oh, no.' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. directly by questioning you." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "You were travelling in the States?" she to prove their authenticity?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "And for present expenses?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a as noiselessly as she had come. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I cannot think." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. ourselves in the office." foot. "Breckinridge is his name." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire It was close upon four before the door opened, and a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they It may be so in this case, also." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "No sign of it?" infinite languor in his face. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that lost nothing by them." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "None." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'Stolen!' he cried. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "What then?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And stepfather?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Clair, of Lee." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday main points of my analysis." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "How do you know, then?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A little trying to do so much typewriting?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to have been novel and of interest." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Game for a morning drive?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the it." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "You know me, then?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'I have already given you my word.' put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass morning." trifles." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, murdered man." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a wedding?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous,