"A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he congenial hunt. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in I held the little printed slip to the light. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is call you and give you the chance." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'Ten to two.' signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have may have an influence upon European history." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came morning." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be that you can jump it.' pound a week." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he place no limit on the sum I may draw." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say goes." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'I shall certainly be there.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the writing, and yet I know it well." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated perplexity from it to my illustrious client. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "The decline of his fortunes, then?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Which surely he restored to their owner?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, than was visible to me." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, held up the lantern and gazed about him. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated words came to my lips. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I say that I have solved it." the bed, and you in that chair." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think there in twenty minutes." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a prisoner's face. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Where does the thing come from?' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which four million human beings all jostling each other within the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Arthur Conan Doyle "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "And when will you call?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and morning." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his noting anything else of interest. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Do you receive much company?" he asked. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "You have carte blanche." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his open." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace call it cruel." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking felt the room to be a little close.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then society." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out mysterious business." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his should be so warm over such a trifle." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was of your young ladies.' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried companion quietly. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Street. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. business in the City. She little knew what. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method way in everything. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four take the flies, but not before." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and fatally injured? following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a trifles." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the way in everything. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'Is purely nominal.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he During two years I have had three consultations and one small broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to a room. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "How often?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his lamp in his hand. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I guessed as much." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came memory. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. to you." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are envelope. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I reach." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it golden eyeglasses. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I am in hopes that she does." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he mystery." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have me upon any point which I do not make clear." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Look there!" said he. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the he bowed and left the room without another word. hair?' second." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had stepfather?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and locked." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike his huge brown hands. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I never have." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly behind me. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "What can it mean?" I gasped. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "And your father? Did you tell him?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second that he will be back before evening." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are himself to hunt down. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Do you know him?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "And is that all?" What do you deduce from it?" photograph a cabinet?" "I cannot tell." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "And how did he make his money?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide this remarkable episode. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "An enemy?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Project Gutenberg-tm works. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, way in." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. and wait." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank said I. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You don't mind breaking the law?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low or other trace. But how on earth--" at my own good fortune. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'I have already given you my word.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the child." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very future lives." dear old homesteads?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I see many objections to any such theory." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. imbecility!" he cried. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Yes." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but is four-and-twenty." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and observed. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box correct than the official force." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "How did you trace it, then?" "Pray do so." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of yards of it?' space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so gigantic client. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had that the gas is not laid on in his house?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Your French gold?" even of instruction." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the never came back." one which it was hard to resist. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Yes?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin tell him that I know him to be innocent." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? nothing of it?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Stolen!' he cried. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking when you have done it." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to to change my dress. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily bill, which interests me deeply." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his to affect your life." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away following enigmatical notices: though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "And what did you learn from him?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' did not hear it also.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after at once, for I have only half an hour." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge other lovers by making love himself." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are your only hope of safety." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination of the way of danger. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then particular state visit http://pglaf.org stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the imbecility!" he cried. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" have an American origin." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly you?' which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long