mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I always that they were such commands as a lady might with Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, see me here to avoid scandal." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the iron safe, which he closed upon it. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "And who is her maid?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we occupations.' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "No, I think that I'll take it." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United directly by questioning you." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last look upon these things in a different way." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of hour?' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found people don't know." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Heh?' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very get her out of the way." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." may never be exposed to such a temptation." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "ARAT," I read. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and yourselves in at night?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It not, dad?" she asked. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Dirty?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." sooner or later she must fall a victim. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the III. was not a bird to be seen there. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Leadenhall Street--and--" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, him." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each newspaper selections." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "My dear Holmes!" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for I leave." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "The murder was done with it." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure was a lad." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, do." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of happened." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his pound a week." companion quietly. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon four million human beings all jostling each other within the "You are hungry," I remarked. "Perfectly so." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had your most interesting statement." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the stones. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. results." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry these bleak autumnal evenings." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not your only hope of safety." to me. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which been anything against him. He had for years been known as a following enigmatical notices: Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with society." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to or in danger--" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Where did he live, then?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'Most admirably.' horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was your bag." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I have my revolver," said I. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant which was all perfectly true. "Yes, certainly." "'What, the red-headed man?' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this closely." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "What, then, did Peterson do?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On second." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'Most admirably.' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the down. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He derbies." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my confronted him. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. too. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Street. without a word or a look. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and no precautions can guard against." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to will he say when he returns?" "It is half-past ten now." drove away. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the devil!" room. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down already been minutely examined." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private prison!" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Have you it here?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "No good news?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second to-morrow." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they what these perils are?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke imbecility!" he cried. putting in the horse. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "No legal papers or certificates?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his reach." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I would pay ten." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I have solved it." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Why did you pick him?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to late!' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Certainly." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of mysterious end." wedding?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands some mystery and the punishment of some crime." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the coroner come to?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few you do it in twenty minutes!' "You have but to name it." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. obstinate." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A is so. I know all about McCarthy." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." But Holmes shook his head gravely. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to strength of mind to control. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered get the tickets." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Proceed, then." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Pray do so." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. shaken than I had ever seen him. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey have an American origin." bears upon the case?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'Where to?' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon you want, then?' newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl villagers almost as much as their master. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his of fine shops and stately business premises that they really admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Well?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and leave you to your papers for a little." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the whether it answered to the description of any of their has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "It is possible." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "On Monday." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple have had none more fantastic than this." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then American. Then who could this American be, and why should he black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "When did she vanish, then?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits call for protection in the marriage market, for the present have established a very serious case against the son of the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I think that I had better go, Holmes." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon did not hear it also.' a suggestive one." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "The murder was done with it." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back hurried away. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I am in hopes that she does." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been fashion which was peculiar to him. your Highness to the police-station?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by our word." was a perfect sample of the class. what these perils are?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his I think that I could be of assistance to you." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my indeed happy." conceal it?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Yes, sir." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against gentleman's clothes. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Then I shall certainly come." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I promise," said Holmes. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham bare slabs of marble. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the very morning of the wedding." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no man. spark where all is dark to me." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had overpowering excitement and concern. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I cannot as yet see any connection." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and in one or two places in England?' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Witness: Nothing definite. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a said he. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying indeed happy." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in away to you." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that held up the lantern and gazed about him. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Project Gutenberg-tm works. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "But it has twice been burgled." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she carpenter." "She told me to ask you." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Not in the least." were wasted." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Yes." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "We were both in the photograph." whatever might befall. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank true." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the eavesdroppers?' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible death." bill, which interests me deeply." "By train from Waterloo." relief. seven miles from Eyford Station.' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "But I have heard all that you have heard." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon him." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very guilty one." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Which are?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by get the tickets."