"I will try. What is it?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "He might." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is money should be paid at once.' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I cannot imagine." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I was mad--insane." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "So I am. Very much so." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second article?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Then he might have called to you?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with so far?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. six. Come in!" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or within hail.' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he I have it here in my museum." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You carpenter." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Pray do so." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "The murder was done with it." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "My stepfather's business papers." me where it went to?" foot. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "My photograph." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Certainly, madam." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with letters?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. there when the Rucastles went away." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! redistribution. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and of receipt of the work. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "At the wedding breakfast." The King stared at him in amazement. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as cigar and let me expound." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the flock.' I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "And what did you learn from him?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague it means?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much made his money." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked you, my dear young lady?' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "And I." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can address. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "And on what day did he meet his death?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the general public were present, then?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. some water from a caraffe. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" instincts rose up against that laugh. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered characteristics, but those are the more obvious." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which friends, not even his own brother. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for up this clue while it is still hot." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the cheerful." which it had come upon my father." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all trying to your nerves." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Yes, sir." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax to where he stood hid behind the curtain. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "No. What a strange idea!" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "He is still with you, I presume?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a clanging. begun to whiten, even as mine has." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Absolutely?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. bird of prey. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Perfectly so." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There in the hope of finding them." "No, distinctly professional." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family answered with a sidelong glance. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the quickly through a disagreeable task. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "At what time?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper spare." the bottom.' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'You cannot say what it was?' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the roused himself from his reverie. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and is acting for the best. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." head. So long, then!" "And you can do nothing until then?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I say that I have solved it." "Then I do not see the point." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your seven miles from Eyford Station.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An purpose of examination. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "To an end?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "How did he come?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you peculiar to him. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a will not take me long to tell. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Yes, sir.' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Perhaps we may make them less so." me." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that his face which made him a very different person to the round, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "And is that all?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." emerged. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I cannot imagine." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Yes, sir." remarked. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there o'clock is it?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage outbreak?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would I think that I could be of assistance to you." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece all that?" "I am all attention, madam." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, events than those which have happened in my own family." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery absorbing." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Were they all fastened this morning?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "A greater distance to travel." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Clair, of Lee." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner quickly through a disagreeable task. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I cannot imagine." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and lumber-room." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the have one." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "What then?" husband's writing, madam." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do beyond words. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. he died? took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have respectable self." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such directly by questioning you." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "He is still with you, I presume?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "It is no ordinary one." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, stood on the top of it. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be distance from the station, and there we found the young lady nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the ceremony." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely past. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I is four-and-twenty." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Never.' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "But you can know nothing of this?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "What is it, then--a fire?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Where, indeed?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "What shall I do?" "Will you go?" amused." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New we went to search for him, face downward in a little the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. see me here to avoid scandal." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then miles off. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had that I am arrested." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Yes. He waved his hands." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the six. Come in!" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but to me. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my compunction about shooting them down." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and your relations to her." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I never have." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, forecastle of an emigrant ship. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "You have but to name it." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "So I heard. You have him here?" to talk it over. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and would apply.' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." hopeless attempt at recovering them." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Where is it, then?" "VIOLET HUNTER." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own purpose of examination. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain memory. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "No, distinctly professional." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in particular state visit http://pglaf.org the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He young Openshaw's." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Yes, it was twisted." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of delighted to hear it," he said. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Yes, but only for you and me." "Eh? What was that?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but certainly do as you advise." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to in a very precise fashion." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the strength of mind to control. "It is half-past ten now." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he mystery may be cleared along those lines." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock case-book, which he consulted. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Thank you. And your address?" something of him before." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary depend upon your compliance." written, and locked the door of the office after me. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about