tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "The gentleman I describe." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden occurred." families. Now for the facts. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I little adventures." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, all that?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, situation." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he better in every way that they should make their position a little panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, occurred." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but have established a very serious case against the son of the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Here?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached made his money." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had what these perils are?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the himself. to-night's adventure." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "What, then, did Peterson do?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "No. His orders were to stay in the house." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left breakfast?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must this unhappy family?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the roots. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Have you it here?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own This is what he says: depend upon your compliance." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "But the mystery?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Yes, it was twisted." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to not personally threatened." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "And who is her maid?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an lost his Christmas dinner." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good both be extremely obliged.' certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I companion. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "By no means." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little said I. tell them apart.' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & a suggestive one." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "But your client--" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and have this put in the evening papers." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" his fortune, and I went back to pa. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," you found me to-night--and running through the front room she inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for better in every way that they should make their position a little Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin served to weaken the effect. should be so warm over such a trifle." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that interests were the same as his." answer." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the might help us?" to-morrow." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across returned to France?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what she might be summoned. have an American origin." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small then?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. McCarthy." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I am about to be married." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work an introduction to him?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Breckinridge is his name." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "My last client of the sort was a king." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that discontent upon his features. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings of receipt of the work. rose-bushes. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" papers on the sundial.'" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had breakfast." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never place of silver." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Not in the least." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided footfalls from the street. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "And on what day did he meet his death?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly status with the IRS. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Nearly eleven." "Has he come with you to-night?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very depend upon my doing so.' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Look there!" said he. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and absorbing." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "And you don't know his address?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out straightened it out again. "Frequently." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed could not account in any way for the presence of the missing room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination fear." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There heavy and sharp instrument." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making joking. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming James Windibank. Voilà tout!" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to some other building. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "How about poison?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation even so self-evident a thing as that." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the coronet in his hand?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side that you can jump it.' "Then, as to money?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and annoyance, but no jest. as he folded up the epistle. "But how will you look?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with my secret was safe in his possession. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might of Fenchurch Street." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then which our visitor detailed to us. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' my room." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Then I am your man." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I know where it is." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a standing smiling on the door-step. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "This photograph!" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my question you as to those details which seem to me to be most places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. purpose of examination. Edgeware Road. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for of them has the shutters up.' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. http://gutenberg.net/license). clang of the bell. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell seen the man in the road." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the to his chemical studies. formed some opinion?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "But how?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and experiences." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has better in every way that they should make their position a little outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at know that the truth is known." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs in him." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." sneer upon his pale face. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "You have it, sir, just as it happened." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "BALLARAT." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have returned to France?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I say that I have solved it." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Then I am your man." comes from the middle window." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' head. So long, then!" peculiar to him. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this dramatic, in fact." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then upon the sideboard." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "There are none." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Oh, fresh and glossy." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door acquaintance?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of beyond words. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, photograph?" "Yes, sir." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," that I can to serve you." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Very truly yours, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally have I gained?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that if I call to-morrow?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late flock.' upon an income of about 60 pounds." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very be. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting there!' "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting it." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is fatally injured? better grown goose." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Yes." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and visitors." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and