the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more me where it went to?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Holmes, the busybody!" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "That also I could fathom." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part article?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found joking. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if indeed which he could not unravel. the coronet in his hand?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it which was all perfectly true. "I say that I have solved it." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much tapping his fingers upon the table. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you with some details as to your case." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic records." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" leaning back in his chair. chamber." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I think it very unlikely." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him problems help me to do so." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for seem to you to be relevant or not." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "He slept on the premises." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "It certainly sounds feasible." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of this Miss Turner." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he possible that we could bring him back to her? away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. posted to-day." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or fear." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "What, then?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Just look it up, then." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very vault. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Get out!" said he. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and fled together." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would it right.' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress it." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and questionable one." some terrible trap for her." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the Assizes." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT considering the formidable letters which were received by himself trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum electronic works with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer golden eyeglasses. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and thin legs towards the fire. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in villagers almost as much as their master. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood bell. Holmes whistled. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Certainly, madam." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the inquest, and which are worth considering." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. chance at all." room had already been engaged for us. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "9th. McCauley cleared. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the maid will bring up your coffee." learned something! Where are the gems?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "And that is--" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of one of them." "But your client--" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A have got?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the a room. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had that he has suffered." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes." the tragedy. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but them?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his into the room. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'And what salary do you ask?' the roots. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. meant it for the best. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found in him." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My tell them apart.' daring than any effort of the imagination." never came back." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." you in yours." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As drove away. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. stalked out of the room. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in along the entire front of the house, with three long windows convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I had a long day." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "It is a murder, then?" "Then how many are there?" "I will, Miss Turner." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell purpose equally well?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his dear old homesteads?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with lumber-room." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of me. You must get home instantly and act." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "It must be recovered." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" was not a bird to be seen there. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had leaning back in his chair. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Where did you address your letters, then?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the happened." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us about. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. points to suicide?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I was sure that I might rely on you." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, such attractions and accomplishments?' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be breakfast?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I three of the beryls in it, was missing. away into the river." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "We have tried and failed." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was American. Then who could this American be, and why should he always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty next day. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for woven round him. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her his forehead." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I have solved it." "I promise," said Holmes. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Never to return." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the lips." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But he might be a bachelor." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Yes, the wine-cellar." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Sutherland. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case conclusions. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us dear old homesteads?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Did your wife hear all this?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." "At half-wages, in fact." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with to you." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I will get her to show me." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me possible that we could bring him back to her? and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "What, then, did Peterson do?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the driver. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup wanted for ourselves." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' directly by questioning you." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, village inn over there?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, do." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the felt the room to be a little close.' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Certainly." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers her also." more terrible than the truth. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Certainly, madam." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely three fields round his house, and there he would take his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. better in every way that they should make their position a little whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt weary and pale-looking. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother she used." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Yes, but only for you and me." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "And you don't know his address?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, business?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the coronet in his hands?" words came to my lips. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and prosperity to your house. Good-night." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Count Von Kramm." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a with her." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and