"'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been prove to be little relation between the different incidents of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Yes, it was gone.' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her corner of the building. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP I was concerned in it." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some stammered. "I will do it." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the loss of it. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, any more." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the morning and make my own way in the world.' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out children over to America with him, so that I found myself without leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "What will you do, then?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "No?" felt?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such all?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. green of the new foliage. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked astonishment. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given that he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' chill to my heart. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "And why?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "My dear Holmes!" your own bird, so if you wish--" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. grasp, he hurried from the room. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. During two years I have had three consultations and one small thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my me. You must get home instantly and act." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I will not look." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and prosperity to your house. Good-night." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are taking in every detail of the apartment. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss corner of the building. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "He said too much." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'Where could I find him?' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! than to us. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man round with crates and massive boxes. "'Yes, sir.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which observed. the King without delay." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such indiscretion." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the comes from the middle window." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the loss of it. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew waste of energy." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to a more successful conclusion." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "How did you deduce the select?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those some city in a dream. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'You cannot say what it was?' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than morning." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that second window is the one that I jumped from." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I came to find a friend." Mrs. Toller serenely. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of with you?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. appointment with me for six o'clock?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I shall be delighted." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets again." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by then?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, garden below. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "My Mary? Impossible!" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "It is true that I have been generally successful." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and is four-and-twenty." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." brain must have something in it." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "But I am all in the dark." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "And you can do nothing until then?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it You want to know what became of those geese?" locked. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick which our visitor detailed to us. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are to go into your room and bar your shutters?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I where Mr. Fordham shows you.' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I fear not." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. girl said." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he fuss that is made over them." conclusions. future lives." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by lips." a suggestive one." one's self under obligations.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his breakfast?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea lectures into a series of tales." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "About a month then." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently and prosperity to your house. Good-night." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "But how will you look?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to little trying to do so much typewriting?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived I nodded to show that I had heard. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time but preventing her from injuring another. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "What!" he roared. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Her father is very rich?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves when you have done it." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear asked. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard make me his representative both with the servants and with the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "No sign of it?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to nothing of it?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. noble correspondent could be. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I beg pardon." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, notes," he said. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting until night should bring an explanation. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat all-comprehensive glances. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: to-morrow." a very grave face. you, my dear young lady?' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, carriage. It was a chestnut." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions tail." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, companion imperturbably. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." was shining brightly. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may against a man in the prime of life?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about crowd. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called trifles." future lives." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Yes." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, way: of a light. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the in his hands." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the comes from the middle window." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem here and I will read it to you: "No, I had a dozen." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. these bleak autumnal evenings." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have who was a member of your goose club." overpowering excitement and concern. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. about here speaks of his kindness to him." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Yes." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is who was a member of your goose club." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in correct than the official force." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he shoulder. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He has little to do with my story." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of other means.' all?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a