"And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the to me. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," few hundred pounds.' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be The note was undated, and without either signature or address. off." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the or in danger--" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Munro.' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing skylight. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Stoke Moran?" said he. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying relief. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, that I can to serve you." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Precisely." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a his face which made him a very different person to the round, voice, changing her seat as requested. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Lee, in the county of Kent." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Yes." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "But how?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, It may be so in this case, also." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All whatever might befall. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "How are you getting on?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an to that open window." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Why serious?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his as yours." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself where we are going." questioning and rather startled gaze. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Oh, fresh and glossy." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might which it had come upon my father." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to three of the beryls in it, was missing. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. said he. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and fashion which was peculiar to him. over part of the map. "What do you read?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of returning from some small jollification and was making his way with you alone." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little gentleman's clothes. is," said he presently: result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and security.' the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not third from London." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the key turn in the lock." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "It's nothing of the kind." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all comes from the middle window." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you them present such singular features as the strange train of "And I." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Yes, from Horsham." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "To ruin me." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when her also." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass For additional contact information: "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing legal crime." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Holmes, the busybody!" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Not social, then?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Yes." "And how have you succeeded?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Surrey." less than 26s. 4d. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm you, my dear young lady?' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Ten will be early enough." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "And why?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what details." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a carried out of court." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Could he throw no light?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need not fit the lock." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. too. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'Is 4 pounds a week.' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, rose-bushes. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry horse could go." in a friendly supper." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and undoubtedly my uncle's." horse could go." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the made his money." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It certainly sounds feasible." "Then you may entirely rely on me." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to some other building. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I think that I had better go, Holmes." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. gone before you can get him to hospital." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of at a side door. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in know what is wrong with it.' "I cannot tell." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I have seen the police." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." could gather together that I was able to avert another public about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "No." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I promise," said Holmes. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I would pay ten." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Yes, that is the Crown." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'It is locked up,' I answered. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, You want to know what became of those geese?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it unprofitable." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and handed it to him. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my you." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." cost them two and thirty pounds." to affect your life." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in married her." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "If so, much may have happened between." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, forebodings. "And why?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "But what is it you wish?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that lamp in his hand. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady really the only notable feature about the thing." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Look there!" said he. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the driver. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Stolen, then." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Always." was used.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. reach." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I shall most certainly do so." business." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp was a perfect sample of the class. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ footfalls from the street. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that simple cases which are so extremely difficult." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Where, indeed?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a sake, don't!" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to wanted for ourselves." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. detective. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large arms and began to sob in a high treble key. it." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Serpentine Avenue. how narrow had been my escape. "Of what day?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "If I can be of use." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the London for the present?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their night.' said he. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. cigars in their mouths. my secret was safe in his possession. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were said he. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the when you have done it." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "On the contrary, this is the right side." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism too. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. of the way of danger. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "By no means." "We have tried and failed." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Precisely." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case occupations.' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Game for a morning drive?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police formed some opinion?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Yes, the wine-cellar." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At of this gang." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight outside. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Holmes' room. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH until night should bring an explanation. maiden herself was most instructive." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Ample." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and no precautions can guard against." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom at a side door. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the stepfather?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. yet." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is better in every way that they should make their position a little had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every upon the shelf for the interim." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance,