sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue whole matter to your consideration." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "You were travelling in the States?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other once more. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first flock.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very extraordinary contortions. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "You have the photograph?" made him keep the appointment." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did you for a few hours?" even of instruction." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, room?" "Imitated." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first introspective fashion. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "To an end?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I am to be neutral?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, voice. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that straightened it out again. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and depend upon your compliance." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Yes, from Horsham." Leadenhall Street--and--" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His have I gained?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "One?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little lectures into a series of tales." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the stones. "And what then?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it careless servant girl?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, some terrible trap for her." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself go--none." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "And how did he make his money?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I have solved it." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to himself to tell his story. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources client, rising. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it conduct the inquiry." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "It missed him, then?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to with some details as to your case." his huge brown hands. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as and the whole place is in a blaze." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "But I am all in the dark." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into pressing in one house as in another. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "That is unusual in a young girl." intrusion of other matters." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Street. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Yes." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers not fit the lock." bare slabs of marble. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "What office?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Was there a secret marriage?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned vault. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to seen the man in the road." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush nights." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she awaited us upon the table. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my said Mr. Holder. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Well?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the stones. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Then I can wait in the next room." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from help us in this matter." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Quite so." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your which are rolled in Rotterdam." these bleak autumnal evenings." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" lost nothing by them." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" business." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and read over the extraordinary announcement. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "How on earth--" "Bought." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I should wish to." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I promise," said Holmes. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I think that it is very probable." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in not interfere, come what may. You understand?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H next day. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and suspect him." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are guilty one." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Holmes." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I most interesting one." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less is four-and-twenty." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I am about to be married." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know photograph?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first opened a pocket-book and took out a note. kindly on the shoulder. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the a suggestive one." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his situation." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that to have been novel and of interest." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I gbnewby@pglaf.org "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was look dissatisfied." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the salesman. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch away in different directions, and I went off to make my own valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "At half-wages, in fact." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "And help." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I cannot say that I have." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's desk. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, delighted to hear it," he said. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight everything which you would wish to know." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "It's nothing of the kind." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is yourselves in at night?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very My friend smiled. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and no precautions can guard against." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our putting in the horse. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. there when the Rucastles went away." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "You don't mind breaking the law?" Stoke Moran." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my side. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for God! What an exposure! What can I do?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "You will not go there first?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads fire. You quite follow me?" the driver. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco some terrible trap for her." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we opportunities to fix the problem. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both you came in." it." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Precisely so. But how--" already referred to. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in as noiselessly as she had come. 1.E.9. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." his cane at the bell-pull. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a orange pips. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "And sit in the dark?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'I am sure that I do not know.' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Could he throw no light?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer knowledge of the world." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. she used." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "You have the photograph?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I say that I have solved it." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the conclusions. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become photograph?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by be there in time for your coming." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "She walked into the breakfast-room." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to prisoner's face. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his main points of my analysis." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, he. a good hundred miles off by now." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "But you would not advise me to refuse?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She not interfere, come what may. You understand?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind