again before evening." "Then I am your man." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination suspect him." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of official police." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in maiden herself was most instructive." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Then, how do you know?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "My last client of the sort was a king." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow absorbing." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works presume?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked beyond words. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I am all attention, madam." "Yes." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and late." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending not fit the lock." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent my special province." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "When did it break out?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able tapping his fingers upon the table. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Did you become engaged then?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Well, it is a possible supposition." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Stolen, then." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I heavy and sharp instrument." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the on in his house." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'You doubt its value?' he asked. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight at once, for I have only half an hour." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. are, and they are waiting for us." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "'Is 4 pounds a week.' If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But like gravel from a pit.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from within hail.' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "My stepfather's business papers." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: crackling voice. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'Yes, sir.' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'And the work?' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at been shamefully used." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat ago." murdered man." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and it right.' as he remarks, very much against the son." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said served to weaken the effect. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are shaken than I had ever seen him. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do will take you up to see the machine.' for its centre. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a to some other building. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Yes. He waved his hands." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house obstinate." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when crackling voice. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'I have heard so.' stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the coronet in his hands?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The when you have done it." allusion to a rat. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others people in all walks of life. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "His face fell immediately. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently acted in my house last night?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Clair, of Lee." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in strode off upon his way. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a results." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble in this note: we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the drove away. of Fenchurch Street." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through that I am arrested." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with God! What an exposure! What can I do?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some knowledge of the world." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'Ample.' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "And you thought he was pulled back?" Sholtos." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic residence of the great financier. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "A client, then?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should delirious. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and any little problem which you may submit to me." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction of the vacancies.' as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes problems help me to do so." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the I leave." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do character. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I fear not." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic she to prove their authenticity?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A evidence," I remarked. "I would pay ten." "When did it break out?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily over part of the map. "What do you read?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "But you were on a friendly footing?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, client, rising. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Breckinridge is his name." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'Quite sure, dad.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but cup of tea. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "And the cigar-holder?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "That is easily got." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are *** START: FULL LICENSE *** The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Was there a secret marriage?" started for the Temple to see my husband. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. business in the City. She little knew what. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is conversation I have gathered that they have been married about in one or two places in England?' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "It missed him, then?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "No, I am descending." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You have a clue?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed you want, then?' and it need not interfere very much with one's other previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four I nodded again. newspaper selections." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "None." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Arthur Conan Doyle "That is easily got." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "You horrify me!" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "No, I had a dozen." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, investigation." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Holmes." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the discontent upon his features. giving me time to thank him. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped *** START: FULL LICENSE *** collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled bird of prey. again, where I was soon asleep. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague upon the white wrist. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'Yes, sir.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the remarked. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our 11:15.' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Thank you. And your address?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their with you alone." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he entirely lost his self-respect." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There one of them." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "But what will you do?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the child?' "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Was there a secret marriage?" morning." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "ARAT," I read. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that must be when I saw the door open.' closing the door. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "But who is he?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of pressing in one house as in another. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "My last client of the sort was a king." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "A confidential servant?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. cause to be." Gutenberg-tm License. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, leaning back in his chair. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at The telegram which we eventually received came late one night could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! address. said he. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you legal crime." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant which should have the effect of calling the attention of the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, house for five minutes.'