is," said he presently: been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, I held the little printed slip to the light. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." yet." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no over here." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering fashion which was peculiar to him. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, meant it for the best. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'I shall certainly be there.' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "The Cedars?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler where we are going." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are hour?' he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass in a friendly supper." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and again on its way. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, matter." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You will not go there first?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no details." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a head. So long, then!" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I will do it." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the very letters. But what is this written above them?' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began remarked. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project felt?" been with you?" "I never have." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up persecution?" will be renamed. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It of." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Nothing?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, His smile broadened. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I should wish to." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. charged with?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be evidence," I remarked. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Edgeware Road. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It long narrative. "How are you getting on?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely from the brougham. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four bonnet, and went out." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Never." had died away into the silence from which it rose. was not a bird to be seen there. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, posted to-day." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton use an arc-and-compass breastpin." http://gutenberg.net/license). The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its down in his armchair and closing his eyes. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she third from London." certainly do as you advise." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if beyond words. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'About the same.' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Holmes. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the to tell." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "She walked into the breakfast-room." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I say it is." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" to change my dress. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" house for five minutes.' We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in was already answered. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Your sister is dead, then?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "And how have you succeeded?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I man. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Sholtos." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry it? Did I buy the geese off you?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as six. Come in!" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with chair. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Sutherland?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I will not look." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "If I can be of use." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Yes." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "She showed me, as I told you she would." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City sake, don't!" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "In San Francisco, a year ago." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever corner of the building. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "At what time?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely eat it." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, is," said he presently: that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the and put his glass in his pocket. questioning and rather startled gaze. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary was keenly on my guard against him. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the like that before?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "The best possible." "Thank you. And your address?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I will do it." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray and shall probably return to London by the evening train." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "And now?" I asked. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Surrey." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Holmes, the busybody!" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Munro.' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Your presence might be invaluable." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." note?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the imbecility!" he cried. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "In heaven's name, what for?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been night.' said he. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at you give your casting vote to?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Clair, of Lee." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "But I am all in the dark." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, know what is wrong with it.' seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "His face fell immediately. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the companion quietly. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple undoubtedly my uncle's." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The works. See paragraph 1.E below. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "He said too much." "Yes." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE have one." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up eat it." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I am to be neutral?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his think you a quite exceptional woman." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that train.' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Yes, certainly." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' your room." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the coronet at all injured?" dates and names. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, forbidden door. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "That was it, sir." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature occurred." McCarthy's innocence. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely is now desirous of getting those letters back." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the I was concerned in it." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had