Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'Ample.' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "You think so, too?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and directly by questioning you." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales my former friend and companion. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of was keenly on my guard against him. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Not particularly." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "It is no ordinary one." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal is," said he presently: enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." indiscretion." "And now?" He raised his hand. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "No." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the certainly do as you advise." "Only as much as we can deduce." did not hear it also.' having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Nothing." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Always." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera acted in my house last night?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Imitated." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I see many objections to any such theory." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but It may be so in this case, also." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Yes, there are nearly always some there." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." new duties?' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "By all means." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "You horrify me." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic in the hope of finding them." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Nor running a chance of arrest?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "No, but the enclosure is." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that time." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New chambers. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. fluttered off among the others. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the infinite languor in his face. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Leadenhall Street--and--" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "The Coroner: What do you mean? perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Sutherland?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its more solid." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There girl said." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past cigars in the box." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "How did you deduce the select?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and I shall be with you presently." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'Ample.' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "An enemy?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Yes." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. whether it answered to the description of any of their "'Where could I find him?' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a there was no need for father to know." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, it." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll ways including including checks, online payments and credit card value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "No?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "But you would not advise me to refuse?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a despair." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Where did you address your letters, then?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Nothing." "My opinion is in no way altered." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me death." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my did not hear it also.' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to were new raised from a basin. it." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood was already answered. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Not I." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "But I am all in the dark." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear danger is over." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "A client, then?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing disappearance of these gems?" crime." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. forebodings. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "A greater distance to travel." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was is," said he presently: heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very anything to a woman, for she would have her way." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more forebodings. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which question," said Holmes, smiling. "Then the page we have seen--" as this. Pray let me have the details." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' said he. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the little opening for the ventilator is." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and the church but not where the lady lived." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. name is different." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. there when the Rucastles went away." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' know what is wrong with it.' "My private note-paper." "Yes." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the one of them." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Get out!" said he. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and other means.' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable that I am arrested." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have The summons was a brief and urgent one. just called myself is not exactly my own." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Holmes rather sternly. "Was she in good spirits?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Did you observe the colour?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "And sit in the dark?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, furiously. were wasted." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about had this final quarrel? Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project future lives." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building should be so warm over such a trifle." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the take the flies, but not before." "It came here." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "It missed him, then?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" would apply.' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project touch that coronet?' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, meant it for the best. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Mrs. Toller serenely. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Doctor, of the paper and the date." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting strength." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Yes, only one." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in mysterious business." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he once more for Briony Lodge. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I outside. despair." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "What! a murderous attack?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons back to my heart. him!" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in hard-headed British jury." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I sufficient punishment." whereabouts. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" forbidden door. Edgeware Road. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if important." green of the new foliage. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "The gentleman I describe." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to morning." morning." "I answered that I had not. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" opportunities to fix the problem. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." woman." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. humiliation." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his himself to tell his story. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the of his shoulders. IS produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Yes." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I nothing with him." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Have you her photograph?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir IS open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. goes." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed assist you in forming an opinion." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and depend upon your compliance." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, have an American origin." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Yes." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What