and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Yes?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and have this put in the evening papers." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "He might." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so imbecility!" he cried. "Well, but China?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "From his hat?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." figure." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my not interfere, come what may. You understand?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Yes." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment you do it in twenty minutes!' "The King of Scandinavia." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp presented which may be striking and bizarre without being hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I fear." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of matter over." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Was there a secret marriage?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Have you good authority for what you say?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are good for you to do.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'Certainly,' I answered. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet formed some opinion?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, together. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the hopeless attempt at recovering them." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to quickly through a disagreeable task. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the some city in a dream. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, to miss it." "Yes, but only for you and me." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'What would be the hours?' I asked. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the room while you explain this matter?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "This concluded the examination of the witness." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, train.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was outsides of the windows. with you?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest II. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the to a more successful conclusion." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to think that he is innocent?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "No, I am descending." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "My private note-paper." "Yes, it was twisted." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where was used.' "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit my former friend and companion. criminal. We have already had experience of such." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to to affect your life." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in make me his representative both with the servants and with the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. crime. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "And the murderer?" happened." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "It is half-past ten now." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "You did not overhear what they said?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the very morning of the wedding." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear This is what he says: memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "No, I think that I'll take it." man. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, distinguish the words: "On Monday." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "That is it on the dressing-table." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "How did that help you?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the been shamefully used." peculiar to him. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness in a very precise fashion." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I sneer upon his pale face. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Yes." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured other means.' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Watson," he said cordially. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then you want, then?' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I detective. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and the church but not where the lady lived." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "He slept on the premises." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the maid will bring up your coffee." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" heavily into it. client, rising. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and as the one I chose?' "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying there when the Rucastles went away." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Arthur Conan Doyle "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "How did that help you?" "'Stolen!' he cried. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "None. Neville wrote those words." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'No, I know no one in these parts.' them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "No, I think that I'll take it." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "VIOLET HUNTER." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the keep the flames under. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. through." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "You have carte blanche." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up will find little credit to be gained out of this case." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Then, how do you know?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." My friend smiled. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Game for a morning drive?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what gbnewby@pglaf.org the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "What!" he roared. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "No legal papers or certificates?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his tail." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "That you are never beaten." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in right! Sit down and let us talk it over." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "But you can know nothing of this?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is passage and a tap at the door. himself to hunt down. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Bought." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my interests were the same as his." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in questionable one." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of suspect him." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one kindly on the shoulder. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square rose-bushes. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the tragedy. "'Where to?' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the certainly not very gracious." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." undoubtedly my uncle's." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to one's self under obligations.' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. business at Coburg Square is serious." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. always that they were such commands as a lady might with adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a have accepted such a situation. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well young Openshaw's." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "On your arm?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I hurried by. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, weapon." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is have I gained?" you." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Entirely." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we face and glided from the room. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I do you make of it all?" "Your presence might be invaluable." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "It looks newer than the other things?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Thank you. And your address?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Count Von Kramm." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "But of what society?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love to-night's adventure." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "And Irene Adler?" taking in every detail of the apartment. wedding?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "At the wedding breakfast." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some entirely devoid of interest." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Then you may entirely rely on me." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Dark enough and sinister enough." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary