to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." if I call to-morrow?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "There are none." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is be there in time for your coming." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin upon a handsome competence. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "You don't mind breaking the law?" and no precautions can guard against." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a vanished into the darkness. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth recall any case within my experience which looked at the first paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "No. His orders were to stay in the house." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house possible that we could bring him back to her? pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his correct than the official force." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet must be when I saw the door open.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'Oh, no.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the of the way of danger. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Bought." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Here?" I approached. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then feature." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the salesman. his wife has ceased to love him." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "I will do it." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "The knees of his trousers." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I delirious. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I promise," said Holmes. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign shadow pass over his face as I spoke. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." morning." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. horse could go." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me morning." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I fear not." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Yes, that is the Crown." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make I nodded again. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, sofa. This way, please!" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the do you make of it all?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to pierced for earrings?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were whole matter to your consideration." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the What do you deduce from it?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an heavily into it. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Was she in good spirits?" undoubtedly my uncle's." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'Yes, I promise.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I say it is." as yours." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then was keenly on my guard against him. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur cup of tea. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Really! You surprise me." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the one as in the other." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the loss of it. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you round with crates and massive boxes. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, that I can to serve you." everything which you would wish to know." empty. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "About a month then." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help in my life." "I am all attention, madam." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Gutenberg-tm License. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Did your wife hear all this?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah to talk it over. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" one else, I think." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin call the police, let the police find what they can.' wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless is a common subject for conversation. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Street. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, was it brought him the coronet? settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily yet." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "It is very clear." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be just called myself is not exactly my own." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange minor matters until to-morrow." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "And your mother is alive?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together mysterious business." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Where did you address your letters, then?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in house for five minutes.' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a unprofitable." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous 1.F. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "How on earth--" good for you to do.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different IS eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his room. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Was your sister dressed?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the indiscretion." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. when your master had gone out." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, fat-encircled eyes. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his himself to hunt down. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the that, and I came down." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the lips." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "And I say east," said my patient. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland arrested. You then--" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "At the wedding breakfast." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, over with notes and figures. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You have but to name it." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I one of them." it." "Just look it up, then." "That was it, sir." you came in." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for purpose equally well?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out charged with?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his get her out of the way." kind enough to tell me what I should do." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in were new raised from a basin. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Oh, fresh and glossy." imbecility!" he cried. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You woven round him. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the certainly do as you advise." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round how narrow had been my escape. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the warnings." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; whether it answered to the description of any of their "And sit in the dark?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close was feeling which was the fattest.' interests were the same as his." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the so-precious time, but come!' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has looking up at the numbers of the houses." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Chief Executive and Director so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "What! Had he lost his wife?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by people in all walks of life. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "No, but the enclosure is." business at Coburg Square is serious." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" electronic works the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to nice household for a young lady." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor soul! here is her carriage at the door." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is an introduction to him?" "Imitated." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my your Highness to the police-station?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, fact, we may call it conclusive." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise had formerly been in part my own. corner of the building. "I have solved it." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'You cannot say what it was?' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill visitors." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most joking. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. ill-usage at the hands of fortune.