tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "And now?" He raised his hand. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Bought." eavesdroppers?' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "The decline of his fortunes, then?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front indeed which he could not unravel. when you have done it." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass straighten it?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of his shoulders. to tackle the facts." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham maid will bring up your coffee." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas your most interesting statement." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the records." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "What can you not understand?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me second window is the one that I jumped from." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Does that suggest anything?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a clang of the bell. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 I nodded again. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the child." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to you." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from even so self-evident a thing as that." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand believe that I should never have any practice at all. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see matter over." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "And who is her maid?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. stammered. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a not, dad?" she asked. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety kindly on the shoulder. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and it." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "And how did you verify them?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared was it brought him the coronet? of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over outsides of the windows. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own copied or distributed: fish-monger and a tide-waiter." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Stoke Moran." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an not within a twentieth part of the market price." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I was mad--insane." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel not, dad?" she asked. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which better grown goose." from the brougham. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I am to be neutral?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the matter?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "But what is it you wish?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I throat." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "A thing like a cleaver," said he. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. His smile broadened. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes, all." "'How far from the body?' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Yesterday." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was girl said." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or there!' "'Then let me do so?' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'Yes, sir.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has get the tickets." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong perplexity from it to my illustrious client. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his question. and it need not interfere very much with one's other quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "But his lameness?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "The landlord of the Alpha." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his too. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while already referred to. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the coronet at all injured?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was crowd. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your there was no need for father to know." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and what is your own theory as to what took place?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. maiden herself was most instructive." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler along the entire front of the house, with three long windows opportunities to fix the problem. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. 1.E.9. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him take the flies, but not before." "It is no ordinary one." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, The summons was a brief and urgent one. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Then, as to money?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'No, I know no one in these parts.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "VIOLET HUNTER." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "The knees of his trousers." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the station." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "The decline of his fortunes, then?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'Never,' said I. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Well, it is a possible supposition." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "You have a clue?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive details." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to-night's adventure." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" through." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When fashion which was peculiar to him. one's self under obligations.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Very murderous indeed." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the warnings." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "And did you observe any change in her then?" chemical work which was so dear to him. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the for its centre. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me do.' of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I have solved it." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "The best possible." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the station." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I know where it is." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I never have." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." have one." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Yes, it was gone.' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I came to find a friend." "Oh, fresh and glossy." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were been with you?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Sutherland. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father discontent upon his features. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Was he the only applicant?" is four-and-twenty." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been extraordinary contortions. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Holmes rather sternly. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or American. Then who could this American be, and why should he can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Look there!" said he. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Yes, certainly." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the room while you explain this matter?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that gentleman's clothes. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the a suggestive one." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some here." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each gentleman's clothes. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Then I shall certainly come." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "To ruin me." foot. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would lumber-room." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Yes." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to instincts rose up against that laugh. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by should be so warm over such a trifle." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, that you wished to speak to me?' late!' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight possible that we could bring him back to her? who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "You saw the ventilator, too?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. past. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes, I have one waiting." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I should be immensely obliged to you." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian if only as a check to my own memory." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "My dear Holmes!" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, closing the door. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held lumber-room." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the brandy and water within his reach. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of would apply.' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "And your mother is alive?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of of the vacancies.' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "In answer to an advertisement." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the particular state visit http://pglaf.org window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted evidence," I remarked. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he just ask you whether you had heard it.' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "None." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" again before evening." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "What, then, did Peterson do?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have