play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "She walked into the breakfast-room." present." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Thank you. Pray proceed." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "One of the highest in England." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked once more to my work. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "How did you trace it, then?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his little trying to do so much typewriting?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and should be so warm over such a trifle." suddenly upon us." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "No, I had a dozen." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "You horrify me!" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see name is different." "'Is purely nominal.' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the populous neighbourhood." waste of energy." stammered. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from eat it." future lives." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for entirely lost his self-respect." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'Why that?' I asks. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "If I can be of use." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I would give my fortune to have them back." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich window when the police appeared." that downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "He said too much." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Then I do not see the point." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "It is half-past ten now." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that thought that she would have been so carried away." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses never came back." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. of." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "No, I am descending." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing digesting their breakfasts at home." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every to talk it over. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Which are?" "Then I am your man." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by bare slabs of marble. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Were they all fastened this morning?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking from you?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. status with the IRS. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The this man was intellectual?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. them?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the into the room. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your upon a handsome competence. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as husband's writing, madam." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud experiences." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that my special province." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, from you?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "In what way?" asked Holmes. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the possible that we could bring him back to her? uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is down in his armchair and closing his eyes. together. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "This photograph!" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Yes, they were peculiar boots." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double floor. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled joking. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything with some details as to your case." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter said he. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she comes from the middle window." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "At the wedding breakfast." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the King without delay." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. furiously. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. detective. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House your room." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several cigars in the box." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and the whole place is in a blaze." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was foot. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to south, for the country is more deserted there." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "An accident, I presume?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But him!" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "And you can do nothing until then?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are crackling voice. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and soul! here is her carriage at the door." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better strong reason behind." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "It missed him, then?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "And leave your case unfinished?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I know where it is." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Yes, sir." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler locked. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains weapon." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband ago." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off room?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between dramatic, in fact." "I am in hopes that she does." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "That is unusual in a young girl." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without ourselves in the office." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Yes." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to not fit the lock." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of used to be." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "How on earth--" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an seven miles from Eyford Station.' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I from the brougham. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the them, and came down just as you departed. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and absorbing." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of locked." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "BALLARAT." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in take the flies, but not before." "Ha! you find it so?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle strength of mind to control. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the laugh and put his lips to my ear. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the three fields round his house, and there he would take his ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Then how many are there?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love ventilator." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to charged with?" a little more before I quite committed myself. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the coronet in his hand?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "So I have heard." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the papers." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband assist you in forming an opinion." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from in his power. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Pool. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hand, madam?" "Just look it up, then." vanished into the darkness. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I upon the shelf for the interim." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "But what is it you wish?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and to have that photograph." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave is four-and-twenty." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, compunction about shooting them down." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for your co-operation." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the Assizes." "Ten will be early enough." matter." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Married! When?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where golden eyeglasses. "Yes." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'What then?' I asked. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could coroner's jury." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in was a loud and authoritative tap. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Is he quiet?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "My own seal." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Miss Holder?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" have got?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "No. What a strange idea!" Eyford at 11:15.' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. mysterious business." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but row." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Certainly." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "It is his hat." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I answered that I had not. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you absorbing." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall without a word or a look. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. if only as a check to my own memory." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking