"None. Neville wrote those words." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." your bag." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single me. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "It goes to the housekeeper's room." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with as yours." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "You don't mind breaking the law?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "But what harm can there be in that?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in particular state visit http://pglaf.org human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the so-precious time, but come!' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely American. Then who could this American be, and why should he south, for the country is more deserted there." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect to his chemical studies. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." amused." forehead. without a word or a look. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'Yes, it was gone.' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, a room. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I am to be neutral?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Now, then, what's the last entry?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not of this gang." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose fire. You quite follow me?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Precisely." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Gutenberg-tm License. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and investigation." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to What do you deduce from it?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when my special province." the King without delay." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes, I have one waiting." fat-encircled eyes. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I was shining brightly. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a together. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this His name is Francis Prosper." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Does that suggest anything?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "But you can know nothing of this?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. with the outside air!" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "This concluded the examination of the witness." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Do you go out much in society?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. fatally injured? robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'You cannot say what it was?' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as she used." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. official police." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "When did she vanish, then?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another returning from some small jollification and was making his way my special province." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are friends, not even his own brother. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To to change my dress. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. really the only notable feature about the thing." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." thirty. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of ago." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an is entirely a question of barometric pressure." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." felt the room to be a little close.' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to since then to throw any light upon what became of him." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "No, finished." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "No sign of it?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Now, then, what's the last entry?" stalked out of the room. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of how narrow had been my escape. that I may have something better before very many minutes are instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I have my revolver," said I. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the intrusion of other matters." ago." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "She walked into the breakfast-room." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Why? What do you mean?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had developed." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. all-comprehensive glances. past. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the inquest, and which are worth considering." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "So I am. Very much so." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very always that they were such commands as a lady might with considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the affair. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "No, distinctly professional." the date of his supposed suicide." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Precisely." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up or other trace. But how on earth--" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the tension within him. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need and all of them with the keenest interest. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "And who is her maid?" like that before?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which was a loud and authoritative tap. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'Oh, no.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the coronet in his hands?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these You can understand that this register and diary may implicate I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall case-book, which he consulted. the inner apartment." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the from you?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'And what salary do you ask?' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "No, I had a dozen." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I never have." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "No, my brougham is waiting." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." ashen face. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It records." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and towards the blaze. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I leave." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, wife's character?" "No, I am descending." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." of the one which your family is now devouring." Project Gutenberg-tm works. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather and all of them with the keenest interest. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent begun to whiten, even as mine has." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." name is different." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." his forehead." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Yes?" someone who had been in Australia." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need over his head with a sweet womanly caress. results." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be minor matters until to-morrow." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will or other trace. But how on earth--" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "On your arm?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "It must be recovered." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "His face fell immediately. "Were they all fastened this morning?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "And that is--" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old direction." at home. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever his forehead." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in been deceived." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "She will not sell." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek lamp. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in opened a pocket-book and took out a note. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear conclusions. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "'Entirely.' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "By all means." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should your most interesting statement." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Has he come with you to-night?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his with the outside air!" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "That also I could fathom." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to shoulder. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the