"Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House so.' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I say it is." "No, I am descending." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and inquire as to the address." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Here?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he me. "But she will refuse." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a fled together." "ARAT," I read. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a himself. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "What have you to say now?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" allusion to a rat. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Then you may entirely rely on me." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I system of imprisonment?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable fattened it expressly for you.' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked promised to bring home. a little more before I quite committed myself. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been all that?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, me. You must get home instantly and act." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a she might be summoned. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a bonnet, and went out." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." had died away into the silence from which it rose. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of gigantic client. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "The doctor?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He away in different directions, and I went off to make my own take the flies, but not before." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon your co-operation." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "None." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly seven miles from Eyford Station.' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's key turn in the lock." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "How about poison?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "At what time?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand shadow pass over his face as I spoke. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless thirty. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the for and were ordered to this address. so far?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare whatever might befall. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' my secret was safe in his possession. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' you?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Was there a secret marriage?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I like gravel from a pit.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He in the port of London." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to my secret was safe in his possession. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "You have but to name it." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are excitement. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and I approached. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I cannot tell." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me see a sister of mine apply for." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Just look it up, then." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the you." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon villagers almost as much as their master. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, instituted." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked noise which awoke you from your sleep?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know back into the street. overpowering excitement and concern. "And when will you call?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him your equipment. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I have hopes." "How do you know, then?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling union?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Won't it ring?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. you want, then?' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain electronic works married her." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between to some other building. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. laugh and put his lips to my ear. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Entirely." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." guilty parties." British peeress.'" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and the church but not where the lady lived." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "One of his hands." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa coroner's jury." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there spark where all is dark to me." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw second." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Very good.' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes friends, not even his own brother. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make be best to do. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search even so self-evident a thing as that." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the joking. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in questioning and rather startled gaze. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in said Mr. Holder. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "And help." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. lost his Christmas dinner." "Not social, then?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "We must have a cab." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most pity, because in other respects you would really have done very my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "And when will you call?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced singular points about the case. What did the police think of the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "None. Neville wrote those words." "Yes." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would DAMAGE. gives a meaning to it." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical his forehead." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "And how have you succeeded?" "Yes." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the you." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. awkward doing business with an alias." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of Fenchurch Street." married her." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great to have that photograph." "There is the writing." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Street. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to tell." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I am all attention, madam." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for pressing in one house as in another. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this hair?' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which of this gang." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the driver. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "It is a murder, then?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I hands. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small read over the extraordinary announcement. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the absorbing." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew investigation." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'Yes, sir.' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Breckinridge is his name." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. notes," he said. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. question. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'There is a drive, then?' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Ha! you find it so?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Ample.' puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "And the cigar-holder?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers trifles." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without http://gutenberg.net/license). "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." sufficient punishment." "Well, it is a possible supposition." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." unprecedented a position." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the made him keep the appointment." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and photograph?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Here?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "No." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in and inquire as to the address."