you in your example." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different had a long day." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Pray continue your narrative." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "You are all wrong." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than future lives." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "None." second window is the one that I jumped from." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action away to you." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Where did he live, then?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there most interesting one." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "It is half-past ten now." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Henry Baker is a member." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "What have you to say now?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "I am armed." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the his face. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in one of them." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little thin legs towards the fire. "Yes." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to ceremony." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be occurred." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the bachelor.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "She told me to ask you." "Certainly, madam." Holmes' thin, eager face. wedding?" and your relations to her." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of with some details as to your case." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I know where it is." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "I say it is." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to fled together." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his troubles have been weighing upon his mind. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "He is still with you, I presume?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between which we had just quitted. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate him to go away.' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California thin, with a long, sharp nose?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove photograph a cabinet?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the relief. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the you understand?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which you do it in twenty minutes!' village inn over there?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. said I. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then direction." "I have seen the police." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just cost them two and thirty pounds." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "You have compromised yourself seriously." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Yes." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four reach." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. of receipt of the work. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Dark enough and sinister enough." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate guilty parties." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You horrify me." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I cannot think." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long and effective." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts problems help me to do so." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' delighted to hear it," he said. your most interesting statement." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite if I call to-morrow?" new duties?' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The you." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "The Coroner: What do you mean? broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the salesman. "May I see it?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our and a shock of very red hair. which are rolled in Rotterdam." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told less than 26s. 4d. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the your Highness to the police-station?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the King without delay." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the matter?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet bears upon the case?" of Fenchurch Street." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I am about to be married." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I said he. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "What shall I do?" and the colonel ushered me in. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible more terrible than the truth. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to indeed happy." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case me. You must get home instantly and act." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, down. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I never have." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible words came to my lips. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. ready to-morrow?' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day undoubtedly my uncle's." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that awkward doing business with an alias." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'Oh, no.' particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." ago." not fit the lock." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting call the police, let the police find what they can.' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to surprise her." forecastle of an emigrant ship. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say foresight and the moral retrogression?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: had picked up in the wood. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Entirely." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the within hail.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to breakfast." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I should be immensely obliged to you." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'Tell me all about it,' said I. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you but preventing her from injuring another. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the signal between you and your father? also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Holmes' room. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Perfectly so." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. rose-bushes. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, eavesdroppers?' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with then?" "I should wish to." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Pray continue your narrative." "My dear Holmes!" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. your equipment. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in him." time." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into that "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "She will not sell." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. unprofitable." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. both be extremely obliged.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has very morning of my second wedding." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "He is still with you, I presume?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never place, I think that there is good ground to think that the forehead. read over the extraordinary announcement. door?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "And the cigar-holder?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Mary, has deserted me." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was very morning of my second wedding." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough morning." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting me where it went to?" wedding?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk his eyes and forehead. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good I think that I could be of assistance to you." case before our client came into the room." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "And Miss Sutherland?" morning." this poor creature." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "On Monday." hour?' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' served to weaken the effect. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "But his lameness?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself and your relations to her." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Not particularly." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Chief Executive and Director "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my should be taken.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn know that the truth is known." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not have established a very serious case against the son of the friends, not even his own brother. Munro.' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Then I am your man." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied man. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been delirious. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an green of the new foliage. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Foundation which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "So I heard. You have him here?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the closing the door. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Get out!" said he. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "How do you know, then?" "Here?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with