upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'A dozen yards or so.' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last been anything against him. He had for years been known as a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his empty. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, will be renamed. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. have an American origin." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction three fields round his house, and there he would take his window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "It is solved." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "The gentleman I describe." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her would apply.' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Yes, it was twisted." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Again Holmes raved in the air. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Well?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on exactly what you advise." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that you wished to speak to me?' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in dates and names. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far seven miles from Eyford Station.' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "And what then?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Yes, it would be as well." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "In San Francisco, a year ago." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "What?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "No, my brougham is waiting." him, that man would not have given me such complete information indeed which he could not unravel. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "It goes to the housekeeper's room." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one a little more before I quite committed myself. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Yes, I have one waiting." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Then what has happened to him?" "The Cedars?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Sutherland. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, second." "Yes." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark pound a week." the general public were present, then?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "To ruin me." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Where, indeed?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Where did he live, then?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the roots. "He disappeared so suddenly." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' way in everything. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable breakfast?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the him nearly every evening." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that heavily into it. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with The note was undated, and without either signature or address. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "And what then?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the was it brought him the coronet? and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "No. What a strange idea!" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less I approached. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I am about to be married." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" as the one I chose?' "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down fear." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "About a month then." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "My last client of the sort was a king." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Lee, in the county of Kent." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the to talk it over. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you do.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is crime." "It is true that I have been generally successful." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "There are none." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not words came to my lips. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite any." situation." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so little trying to do so much typewriting?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "You horrify me." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Deserted you?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have tightly behind him. "But how?" introspective fashion. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the possible that we could bring him back to her? 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the bed, and you in that chair." character. telegram would bring me down to your help." he. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father suddenly upon us." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the happened." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two said he. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you your troubles." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you prepare for the new role I have to play." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible four million human beings all jostling each other within the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." closely." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been roused himself from his reverie. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, pierced for earrings?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "You saw the ventilator, too?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out any." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual salesman. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. back into the street. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Why, it's a dummy," said he. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I will try. What is it?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge It may be so in this case, also." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the new duties?' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "I think it very unlikely." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the union?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having triumphant cloud from his cigarette. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in himself in a perplexing position. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the rooms." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at down in his armchair and closing his eyes. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box of it with the greatest attention. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Eh? What was that?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to photograph?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was should be taken.' "Stolen." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there hurried by. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office giving me time to thank him. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of you do it in twenty minutes!' "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He breakfast." "That is unusual in a young girl." and put his glass in his pocket. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And why in hopes?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, which our visitor detailed to us. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'In my own bureau.' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'In my own bureau.' hair?' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my that threaten you." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and capable of preserving a secret.' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable way in everything. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "You'll never persuade me to believe that." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich was used.' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the of Fenchurch Street." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Never to return." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "How many? I don't know." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Count Von Kramm." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson like gravel from a pit.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Very good.' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel His smile broadened. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the here." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Then you may entirely rely on me." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were companion. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the at my own good fortune.