thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am one of the states of the Union." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the matter." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional you understand?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Yes, sir." "Whose house is it?" points to suicide?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was most important business. It is probable that he will be away all approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'Ten to two.' broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I beyond words. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic disturbance in my wife." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and to-night?' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" once more for Briony Lodge. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot passage and a tap at the door. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was on re-entering her father's house?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa me. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back prisoner's face. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches young Openshaw's." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six http://gutenberg.net/license). transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the stones. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as sufficient punishment." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "And did you observe any change in her then?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, http://gutenberg.net/license). deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Come in!" said he. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I should be immensely obliged to you." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no call for it in person on Monday morning.' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "The best possible." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in row." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Count Von Kramm." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with door?" His smile broadened. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. do.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "What office?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Do you know him?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got behind me. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable fishes. "But we can't all be." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was returning from some small jollification and was making his way is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the there has been an enclosure here!" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I nodded to show that I had heard. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Yes, I have one waiting." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "One?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. or in danger--" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm overpowering excitement and concern. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'Then let me do so?' "You will not go there first?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Does that suggest anything?" "Your sister is dead, then?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." as the one I chose?' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "You have but to name it." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the my secret was safe in his possession. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. him, that man would not have given me such complete information kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Holmes' thin, eager face. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the prepare for the new role I have to play." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from this truth that in these little records of our cases which you of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations this as likely?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I think that I had better go, Holmes." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I see no marks." bird I ate is country bred." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your way in." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to made him keep the appointment." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a derbies." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." his cane at the bell-pull. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'In my own bureau.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly train from Paddington which would bring you there at about We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain own family. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you door?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I will try. What is it?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every long narrative. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread fat-encircled eyes. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner entirely devoid of interest." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's and shall probably return to London by the evening train." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Proceed, then." "Quite so." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the tail." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two upon the white wrist. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four congenial hunt. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Surrey." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. open." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." unclasping of his long thin hands. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "No?" mysterious business." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so The note was undated, and without either signature or address. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "This photograph!" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "It was an hour's good drive." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him was a loud and authoritative tap. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "One?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were towards the blaze. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Witness: It was. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a said he. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John hopeless attempt at recovering them." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "She walked into the breakfast-room." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most so.' "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "That also I could fathom." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Munro.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the whereabouts. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered friend's singular character. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing have had none more fantastic than this." as this. Pray let me have the details." indiscretion." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Your sister is dead, then?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of your Highness to the police-station?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Precisely so. But how--" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "By no means." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. approach us with offers to donate. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I guessed as much." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and power." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "And sit in the dark?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus morning." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "ARAT," I read. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. ago." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. at home. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and inquire as to the address." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "How did he come?" "Deserted you?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "But she will refuse." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Have you it here?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the your troubles." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be little trying to do so much typewriting?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "How did he come?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent asked. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Eyford." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "The King of Scandinavia." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue crime. Serpentine Avenue. clanging. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "My own seal." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and effective." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "And why in hopes?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this you."