methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the goes." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I fear not." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Not in a good cause." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael woven round him. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "But what will you do?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "And that is--" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "May I see it?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a it." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "But it has twice been burgled." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of enter into my head. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I with you alone." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? before, for it was considerably after midnight. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an lips." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "You don't mind breaking the law?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was as he remarks, very much against the son." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I guessed as much." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the success. "What will you say?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more that you can jump it.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Here?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his such person." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the mystery may be cleared along those lines." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian License. You must require such a user to return or perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said back alive. "Was your sister dressed?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this outside. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "No bad?" crowd. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "But how could you guess what the motive was?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Surrey." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. ran thus: "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I electronic works silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I fashion which was peculiar to him. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural side. ways of our fellow-men." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were or in danger--" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from infinite languor in his face. "Yesterday." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone there were so many in the whole country as were brought together purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the it means?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and will take you up to see the machine.' "Then I can wait in the next room." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now prisoner's face. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the speckled band?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Yes, sir." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so envelope. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm round and wave him away like that.' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott examine." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, friend's singular character. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "And what did you see?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "What is it, then--a fire?" "What! a murderous attack?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my definite end. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "They are typewritten," I remarked. we went to search for him, face downward in a little certainly do as you advise." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the enough to aid us in our search." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'What do you call purely nominal?' inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." empty. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that pressing in one house as in another. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers would then never go into court at all." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I cannot as yet see any connection." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'No, I know no one in these parts.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "She walked into the breakfast-room." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and and the whole place is in a blaze." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the bed, and you in that chair." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I think that it is very probable." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an was keenly on my guard against him. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the to you." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the inner apartment." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." one's self under obligations.' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent directly by questioning you." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the fluttered off among the others. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Project Gutenberg-tm works. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a ourselves in the office." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was if only as a check to my own memory." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. take the flies, but not before." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant spare." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some when you have done it." was a lad." him, that man would not have given me such complete information are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable it." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I have hopes." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed forecastle of an emigrant ship. "By all means." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Where, then?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Ah, but I was recommended to you." showing my impatience. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I came to find a friend." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." confronted him. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Not particularly." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, remarked. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the nursery. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Yes, it was twisted." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Witness: I must still refuse. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the whereabouts. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of your room." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is anything to do with the matter?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, residence of the great financier. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Dirty?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the speckled band?" the Assizes." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so chamber." and all of them with the keenest interest. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official appeared upon the scene." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "My Mary? Impossible!" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking learned something! Where are the gems?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "No, I am descending." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Yes, sir." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out allusion to a rat. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "The vanishing of the lady." will take you up to see the machine.' "Which are?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "And is that all?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance prepare for the new role I have to play." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Have you it here?" "Holmes, the busybody!" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a During two years I have had three consultations and one small Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' rooms." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a obstinate." the coronet in his hand?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need relief. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found ago." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Mary, has deserted me." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong there!' him nearly every evening." Henry Baker is a member." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; in a very precise fashion." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able sake, don't!" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I have a cab outside." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been weary and pale-looking. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more appeared upon the scene." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Foundation Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a upon the sideboard." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Precisely." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing right! Sit down and let us talk it over." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently which our visitor detailed to us. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Why? What do you mean?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into stood on the top of it. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "It came here." in a very precise fashion." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had