I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its any little problem which you may submit to me." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "And what then?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his is worth.' in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an that threaten you." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "But what harm can there be in that?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE here and I will read it to you: of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "And the murderer?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "How did you trace it, then?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling other lovers by making love himself." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room husband's writing, madam." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any an introduction to him?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" notes," he said. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" prepare for the new role I have to play." "He said that you could solve anything." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "An enemy?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but gone. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Was she in good spirits?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Your presence might be invaluable." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the side-table." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Then how many are there?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man completely overtopped every other consideration that we both transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from obstinate." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he again, where I was soon asleep. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, your room." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left vague figure huddled up in the darkness. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. four million human beings all jostling each other within the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Where is it, then?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I outbreak?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is easy-going way." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'And what are they worth?' I asked. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely some mystery and the punishment of some crime." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making weary and pale-looking. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Nothing." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare even of instruction." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the little opening for the ventilator is." mystery!" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to young Openshaw's." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off nothing of it?" present." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "But what is it you wish?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a or in danger--" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I reach." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out The summons was a brief and urgent one. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I little adventures." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "And the cigar-holder?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much you in your example." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "None." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. think that he is innocent?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "She showed me, as I told you she would." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Chief Executive and Director farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little ashen face. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "My private note-paper." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either a room. Farm upon the left." What do you deduce from it?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his which was all perfectly true. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There one's self under obligations.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Has he come with you to-night?" cheerful." "But she could not love him." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I know where it is." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "But his left-handedness." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our other, as fresh and trim as possible. one else, I think." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Have you her photograph?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "It is very kind of you." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall The summons was a brief and urgent one. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty fear." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I am to be neutral?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Was there a secret marriage?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Your sister is dead, then?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'I have already given you my word.' enter into my head. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and the church but not where the lady lived." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, what these perils are?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again desk. second window is the one that I jumped from." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** stepfather?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "You horrify me." must be when I saw the door open.' you do it in twenty minutes!' what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of gone. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the have one." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "That is it on the dressing-table." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be but preventing her from injuring another. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself hair?' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but leaning back in his chair. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "What will you say?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Nothing." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the garden below. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the driver. think that any burglar could have done. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "There are none." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his drawing your inferences." washing it down with a long draught of water. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Nothing?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in her also." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort because she had spent so short a time in this country that she without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with leaning back in his chair. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned said I. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which your most interesting statement." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled The events in question occurred in the early days of my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel very old mansion. "The doctor?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." with the outside air!" hopeless attempt at recovering them." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Was your sister dressed?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the appointment with me for six o'clock?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I came to find a friend." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I out of this horrible affair." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then went to the Alpha were town bred." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Where to?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard points to suicide?" Street. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, interests were the same as his." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think not come at once?" "No, distinctly professional." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland a few minutes he said that it would be all right. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Holmes." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official of the one which your family is now devouring." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was