them, and came down just as you departed. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob fish-monger and a tide-waiter." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I fishes. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then hurried away. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'In my own bureau.' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the nights." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Certainly." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I don't say that. Perhaps." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "You have compromised yourself seriously." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have is worth.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "What then?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a best detective that ever lived. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a nights." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I never have." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "And who is her maid?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Never." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out annoyance, but no jest. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." been able to understand it, in a very few words. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We business at Coburg Square is serious." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "And now?" He raised his hand. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "But what harm can there be in that?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." that, and I came down." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "In what way?" asked Holmes. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the ceiling. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I will, Miss Turner." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel congenial hunt. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Lee, in the county of Kent." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the night.' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Which are?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "But it has twice been burgled." "That also I could fathom." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to had a long day." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE I took the paper from him and read as follows: "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Then how many are there?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a key turn in the lock." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "What then?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "But she could not love him." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the remarked. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Well, it is a possible supposition." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Why that?' I asks. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the dangers which encompass me." "Oh, fresh and glossy." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." lumber-room." "'Quite sure, dad.' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your conduct the inquiry." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "How can you tell that?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what shall use the carriage to-night." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself It may be so in this case, also." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and really the only notable feature about the thing." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I fat-encircled eyes. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the or other trace. But how on earth--" "By no means." with frightened eyes at his accuser. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "So it appears." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy as this. Pray let me have the details." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" all-comprehensive glances. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to have been novel and of interest." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." stepfather?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." it." his face which made him a very different person to the round, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "And how have you succeeded?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'And the work?' enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what little adventures." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me business?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I have seen the police." signal between you and your father? that I may have something better before very many minutes are "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he good-night and bustled off upon her way. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "It is possible." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in cost them two and thirty pounds." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has which it had come upon my father." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a then?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my tassel actually lying upon the pillow. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more him to be an active member of the medical profession." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" he. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my morning." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of the way of danger. nothing with him." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend not, dad?" she asked. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, out." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it attention." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then is acting for the best. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would south, for the country is more deserted there." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and have I gained?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close is so. I know all about McCarthy." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of out of this horrible affair." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with address. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed tension within him. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does dear old homesteads?" "'Yes, I promise.' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of happened." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Was he the only applicant?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which in one or two places in England?' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his his grey eyes. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for congenial hunt. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at memory. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Not yet." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, enter into my head. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that?' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my had died away into the silence from which it rose. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. visitors." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the you understand?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings hardly wander." there when the Rucastles went away." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped someone who had been in Australia." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution before the coroner and the police-court." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Is he quiet?" "One?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in stammered. "What are they?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" pictures, libraries, or plate. quite distinctive." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That to change my dress. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "And your mother is alive?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a works. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'What do you call purely nominal?' answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every happened." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'In my own bureau.' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching eavesdroppers?' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." appeal." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over I. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Pool. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we have established a very serious case against the son of the think that any burglar could have done. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "In the cells." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate eavesdroppers?' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more dear old homesteads?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are mystery may be cleared along those lines." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Your sister is dead, then?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "In which, sir?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is house for five minutes.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in