vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if comes from the middle window." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, touch that coronet?' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Well, some hundreds of times." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Were they all fastened this morning?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was himself. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a residence of the great financier. charged with?" "'Which dealer's?' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. galvanised. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And how in the world did you find them?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining tear off another piece?' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Yes." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some deduce something from that?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Holmes." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "So I am. Very much so." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Yes, sir." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my will find little credit to be gained out of this case." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke whatever might befall. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "The murder was done with it." imbecility!" he cried. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I am still in the dark." "I am still in the dark." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and trifles." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. fuss that is made over them." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my do.' at once, for I have only half an hour." telegram would bring me down to your help." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "He is dead," cried several voices. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a looking up at the numbers of the houses." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can without success. At last the little money which I had saved began some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Nothing." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her always that they were such commands as a lady might with side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of lost his Christmas dinner." "How on earth--" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A people in all walks of life. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "We were both in the photograph." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat golden eyeglasses. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the security.' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "By all means." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Lee, in the county of Kent." empty. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he that he has suffered." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his then?" "'Is purely nominal.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to affect your life." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Yes, all." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and in his hands." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I interest. They are important, you understand, without being When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which footfalls from the street. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do hurried away. to his chemical studies. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "What can you not understand?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have I nodded to show that I had heard. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I them, and came down just as you departed. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow shoulder; "he's all right." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'I am sure that I do not know.' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." matter over." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom true." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Holmes." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I should wish to." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not might help us?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known 1.E.9. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "But your client--" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the coronet in his hand?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "That you are never beaten." into the room. "I do." answer." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "But who is he?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "You heard nothing yourself last night?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "You have it, sir, just as it happened." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend what these perils are?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together fishes. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle signal between you and your father? corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle train from Paddington which would bring you there at about beg that you will break it off." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the so-precious time, but come!' of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open some terrible trap for her." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My waste of energy." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss system of imprisonment?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "No." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left fatally injured? could gather together that I was able to avert another public to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." which our visitor detailed to us. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "What have you to say now?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have 'please.'" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Here?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way would apply.' "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock lids now and glanced across at his visitor. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I will, Miss Turner." "But it has twice been burgled." "Ah!" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Could he throw no light?" definite end. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Witness: It was. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made be there in time for your coming." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "She walked into the breakfast-room." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "He said that you could solve anything." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'Which dealer's?' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Your French gold?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of child?' me where it went to?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him laugh and put his lips to my ear. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Yes, I have one waiting." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the without a word or a look. have an American origin." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the tell me that you intended to go into harness." enter into my head. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the I nodded again. companion quietly. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Yes, all." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to should be taken.' feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See You can understand that this register and diary may implicate they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. advice." lost his Christmas dinner." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you walking." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter south, for the country is more deserted there." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is cigars in their mouths. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but comes from the middle window." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "You are hungry," I remarked. "Yes, that is the Crown." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of families. Now for the facts. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "And the murderer?" young Openshaw's." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "To ruin me." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "It looks newer than the other things?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "But you were on a friendly footing?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "No legal papers or certificates?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. for the market.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "You are all wrong." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so stepfather?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It is solved." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own front of me. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the