should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag eat it." that I am arrested." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Then how many are there?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in enter into my head. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have relation between them, and what the object of his repeated education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter letters?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George directly by questioning you." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a all-comprehensive glances. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Surrey." "No?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Entirely." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? bachelor.' "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "We must sit without light. He would see it through the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of kind enough to tell me what I should do." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "And you can do nothing until then?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Then I shall certainly come." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Yes, it would be as well." "I cannot tell." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major answer." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a leave you to your papers for a little." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told searched, without anything being found which could incriminate case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save absorbing." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by good-night and bustled off upon her way. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "She told me to ask you." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "It is no ordinary one." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "I will try. What is it?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Lee, in the county of Kent." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind families. Now for the facts. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in other lovers by making love himself." recover the gem." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to such person." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up at my own good fortune. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Only as much as we can deduce." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "What, then?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower status with the IRS. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "So I heard. You have him here?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Stoke Moran." "Never to return." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their your bag." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Can I be of assistance?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his furiously. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in strong and stiff." "But you can know nothing of this?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, neither fascinating nor artistic." "So it appears." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of I. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "We were both in the photograph." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk young Openshaw's." this poor creature." which we had just quitted. a little more before I quite committed myself. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Texas, I think." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it drove away. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent it? Did I buy the geese off you?" lips." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it been lifted and conveyed somewhere." call it cruel." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, I shall communicate with you." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "But you have hopes?" "You will not go there first?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But how did you gain them?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after with the outside air!" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Miss Holder?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were way in." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in one which it was hard to resist. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "On your arm?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Watson," he said cordially. humiliation." "And you thought he was pulled back?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "What! a murderous attack?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the coroner come to?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his corner of the building. dead, shall be safe with us." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white just called myself is not exactly my own." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a is now desirous of getting those letters back." that beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged not come at once?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I cannot imagine." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the window, rose as we entered. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been helping a boy to put up the shutters. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Yes, I have one waiting." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, room had already been engaged for us. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the been deceived." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Not I." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would front of the hall door has given its name to the place. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his train from Paddington which would bring you there at about done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "But how did you gain them?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a jewels which you have stolen?' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was begin with, and I had not got mine yet." is a common subject for conversation. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I say that I have solved it." note?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Have you good authority for what you say?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "It must be recovered." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his asked. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me went to the Alpha were town bred." "Will you go?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Witness: I must still refuse. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen paper in the air. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The 11:15.' go--none." your sleep?' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he is worth.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how you." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Precisely." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "But what will you do?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "About a month then." outsides of the windows. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly long narrative. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the have had none more fantastic than this." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "So I have heard." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with children over to America with him, so that I found myself without hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of better grown goose." despair." your bag." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered was a loud and authoritative tap. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Has he come with you to-night?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I morning." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I one else, I think." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. comes from the middle window." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" fuss that is made over them." wall." "No. What a strange idea!" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a during which he might have communicated with his friend the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had over his head with a sweet womanly caress. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked your billet.' all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Then let me do so?' hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I man. I know him from the photograph." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding have accepted such a situation. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Not him." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran which we had just quitted. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "We must sit without light. He would see it through the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." present." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a beyond words. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Yes, it was gone.' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Yes, it was twisted."