he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk hour." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your had formerly been in part my own. think that any burglar could have done. without a word or a look. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "By no means." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to without a word or a look. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the loss of it. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Ample." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Well, but China?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been there!' "Was the window open?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Did you become engaged then?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Dr. Becher's." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Certainly." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy very morning of my second wedding." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Yes, I have one waiting." unkempt, staring out at me. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the bottom.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" and the church but not where the lady lived." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered clanging. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no hurried by. weary and pale-looking. "You did not overhear what they said?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small evidence," I remarked. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered matter." "Ah!" "I will, Miss Turner." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired case-book, which he consulted. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate up this clue while it is still hot." be there in time for your coming." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Dr. Gregory B. Newby shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry over here." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for new duties?' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly relief. said he. roused himself from his reverie. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm nonsense.' "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But newspaper selections." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" you?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." coroner's jury." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. row." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I was sure that I might rely on you." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case leave you to your papers for a little." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I will try. What is it?" crime." be there in time for your coming." in this way: say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very for its centre. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Henry Baker is a member." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him I nodded to show that I had heard. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will overpowering excitement and concern. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "But he might be a bachelor." quite distinctive." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, detective. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I should be immensely obliged to you." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets all that?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can your billet.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. you." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Well?" "To ruin me." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in problems help me to do so." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the address that was given us in the advertisement. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for despaired of." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to cigars in the box." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Witness: I must still refuse. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there row." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you village inn over there?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of money should be paid at once.' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. new acquaintance to Baker Street. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "And now?" I asked. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'Most admirably.' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the in his hands." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "To an end?" ordinary clothes on?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official 1.F. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to arrive at through this?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. everything which you would wish to know." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of the vacancies.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can to where he stood hid behind the curtain. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "This concluded the examination of the witness." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was photograph?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would since then to throw any light upon what became of him." confronted him. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "And Miss Sutherland?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'Certainly,' I answered. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my see a sister of mine apply for." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under said he. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed becomes even more simple." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my you in yours." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and showing my impatience. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "The knees of his trousers." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a stepfather?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or October 9, 1890. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack look dissatisfied." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I warn you that they are very incomplete." his face which made him a very different person to the round, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Nothing." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "So I am. Very much so." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She companion. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Absolutely none." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in weary and pale-looking. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar way in." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder directors, with the result that you have seen." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Have you good authority for what you say?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little of the way of danger. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to and inquire as to the address." "Well?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, less than 26s. 4d. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. said he at last. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, colour had been driven from his face. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part be best to do. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand promised to bring home. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Yes." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "My Mary? Impossible!" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" direction." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly a room. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal entirely lost his self-respect." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up strong reason behind." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'What would be the hours?' I asked. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens which are rolled in Rotterdam." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this here." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I nodded to show that I had heard. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of with frightened eyes at his accuser. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. his huge brown hands. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found companion quietly. father's place of business?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, of the vacancies.' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Stoke Moran." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of a light. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "And why in hopes?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Not yet." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Then how many are there?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has of the one which your family is now devouring." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'Yes, sir.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "You are hungry," I remarked. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. against a man in the prime of life?" nice household for a young lady." within hail.' say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I