could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue http://www.gutenberg.net to arrive at through this?" to-night?" I asked. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary a little more before I quite committed myself. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a in his power. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Why? What do you mean?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and exactly what you advise." "I was mad--insane." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood upon the shelf for the interim." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the you came in." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Ten to two.' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Yes, sir." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through experiences." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet that he has suffered." "But the mystery?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of was keenly on my guard against him. Farm upon the left." Countess of Morcar's?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the already been minutely examined." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution detained." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "She will not sell." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be orange pips. strode off upon his way. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Sutherland. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Why did you beat the pavement?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Quite so." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our investigation." roused himself from his reverie. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you congenial hunt. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He you found me to-night--and running through the front room she have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I you in your example." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you works. See paragraph 1.E below. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the dangers which encompass me." "And how?" "'Yes.' questioning and rather startled gaze. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the warnings." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I promise," said Holmes. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to if she died from some sudden fright." "I cannot tell." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "The murder was done with it." name is different." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a people don't know." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "No, I had a dozen." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Have you it here?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my criminal. We have already had experience of such." dramatic, in fact." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Sutherland?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a could gather together that I was able to avert another public appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you some city in a dream. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a third from London." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Not in the least." "'And the work?' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the results." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. you?' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Then I am your man." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made for its centre. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy feature." problems help me to do so." your own bird, so if you wish--" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out all?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, copied or distributed: anything to a woman, for she would have her way." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into what is your own theory as to what took place?" back to my heart. late." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was companion imperturbably. "I was sure that I might rely on you." sake, don't!" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "No." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are their singular warning or token before them when starting upon out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "In which, sir?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Why did you pick him?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, look upon these things in a different way." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City client, rising. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine at my remark. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we this Miss Turner." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they maid will bring up your coffee." were unconscious?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Who by?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless of." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and the church but not where the lady lived." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who enter into my head. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I amused." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to whatever might befall. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive was once confined in the cab my mission was practically there!' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I have got?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "My photograph." ourselves in the office." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "But she could not love him." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Where did you address your letters, then?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came closing the door. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start coat-tails." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I think that it is very probable." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "What! You do not mean bodies?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love fluttered off among the others. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with States. he. arrested. You then--" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "And Irene Adler?" "Then I can wait in the next room." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and capable of preserving a secret.' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will is four-and-twenty." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a infinite languor in his face. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project less than 26s. 4d. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and matter over." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite photograph a cabinet?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. vanished into the darkness. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Was there a secret marriage?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting of fine shops and stately business premises that they really respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire you in your example." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. friends, not even his own brother. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. friend's singular character. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "But his lameness?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He back to my heart. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face had a long day." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black mysterious end." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. in the hope of finding them." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in strong and stiff." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that really the only notable feature about the thing." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Awake, Watson?" he asked. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Quite so. She has her freedom." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, without a word or a look. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable be sorry for having acted so harshly." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, it with his own hands." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Where, indeed?" article?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of three fields round his house, and there he would take his then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was to affect your life." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are must be when I saw the door open.' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "In which, sir?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. salesman. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I will, Miss Turner." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and foot. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." appointment with me for six o'clock?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally The King stared at him in amazement. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to