once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a answer." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was a good hundred miles off by now." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." have an American origin." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should absolutely follow my advice in every respect." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric recover the gem." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She in him." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "How did he come?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' true." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE noble correspondent could be. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened own family. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It is true that I have been generally successful." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. row." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray brought there to personate someone, and the real person is There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; such attractions and accomplishments?' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "It surprised me." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I cannot say that I have." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "He said too much." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "It is very clear." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Yes." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help II. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by later, upon the night of May 2nd." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Most admirably.' my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save giving me time to thank him. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'And the work?' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. lost his Christmas dinner." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I our word." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly conduct the inquiry." "On your arm?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled sneer upon his pale face. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small me. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Then what has happened to him?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, whether it answered to the description of any of their my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' of a light. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "And why?" the date of his supposed suicide." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. colonel looking down at me. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of not personally threatened." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official returning from some small jollification and was making his way his grey eyes. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive him to be an active member of the medical profession." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am ventilator." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped had died away into the silence from which it rose. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The away to you." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the of them has the shutters up.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and key of the affair now." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come unkempt, staring out at me. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed my special province." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at remarked. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a has little to do with my story." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to hurried away. business matters.' question. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! His smile broadened. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "But how?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not there was no need for father to know." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. as noiselessly as she had come. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of that I may have something better before very many minutes are Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his despaired of." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the spare." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to said I. placed his cuttings. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "A client, then?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that you saw all that I did." this as likely?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "What are they?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out pound a week." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a touch that coronet?' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back business matters.' "How can you tell that?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Which are?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Lee, in the county of Kent." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence to Leatherhead. "What! a murderous attack?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. that you saw all that I did." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them confronted him. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "May I see it?" "I have my revolver," said I. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a his fortune, and I went back to pa. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the within hail.' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped late!' "Very murderous indeed." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is to Leatherhead. "No good news?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the other means.' away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "His face fell immediately. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me if she died from some sudden fright." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I answered that I had not. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he approach us with offers to donate. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "No?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Yes." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work out." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little I am not easy in my mind about them." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Always." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But affection." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "What, then?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold his cane at the bell-pull. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining chambers. suddenly upon us." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "He slept on the premises." "'Why that?' I asks. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the whole matter to your consideration." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'You cannot say what it was?' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Yes." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the think, you have already met." strode off upon his way. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. entirely devoid of interest." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & business at Coburg Square is serious." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed forebodings. to talk it over. 'please.'" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Pray continue your narrative." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's villagers almost as much as their master. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his meant." best detective that ever lived. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Breckinridge is his name." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did once more on the important position which you have been fortunate foot. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I cannot tell." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" served to weaken the effect. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "What are they?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "No." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does interest. They are important, you understand, without being trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "ARAT," I read. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Stoke Moran." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable prepare for the new role I have to play." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, are windows in it, of course?" imbecility!" he cried. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man both be extremely obliged.' "It looks newer than the other things?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "But it has twice been burgled." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I would give my fortune to have them back." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he McCarthy." "The King of Scandinavia." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a when your master had gone out." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Yes." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an