recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Nothing?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'Yes, I promise.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? of Mr. Rucastle's." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the coroner come to?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "A thing like a cleaver," said he. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by lumber-room." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into became a certainty. of this gang." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is hereditary King of Bohemia." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Pray do so." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Proceed, then." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty new acquaintance to Baker Street. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and one else, I think." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had exactly what you advise." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Yes." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "None. Neville wrote those words." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these His smile broadened. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. crime. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he trifles." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian less than 26s. 4d. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "And your mother is alive?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on she used." to a more successful conclusion." generous with you in money matters.' other means.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until floor. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE invisible to me," I remarked. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "None." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "It must be recovered." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a examine." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his name is different." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if a little more before I quite committed myself. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have door?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry there!' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned said he. visitors." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining served to weaken the effect. him nearly every evening." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it bears upon the case?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You in the hope of finding them." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between certainly do as you advise." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of himself. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone yet." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the that he has suffered." national property. I was determined that the law should have its fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress indiscretion." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the tragedy. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "The best possible." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought cigars in the box." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, delirious. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. society." crowd. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is him. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Has he come with you to-night?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the these bleak autumnal evenings." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off you?' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "No, thank goodness, she did not." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the chance." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing intrusion of other matters." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out fattened it expressly for you.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Yes." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so secret." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned useful material for showing traces. The double line a little certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you better in every way that they should make their position a little "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's important." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he appointment with me for six o'clock?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, deduce something from that?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. this poor creature." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "There are none." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of as this. Pray let me have the details." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a respectable self." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential and your relations to her." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her forecastle of an emigrant ship. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, in the dead of the night?' "Very murderous indeed." "To an end?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly better in every way that they should make their position a little "What are they?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." that you can jump it.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the south-west, I see." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too with frightened eyes at his accuser. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." from the brougham. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped room?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying returning from some small jollification and was making his way hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their whatever might befall. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll chambers. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "That is unusual in a young girl." not personally threatened." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "None." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no strength." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Why did you pick him?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg here." bearing upon the case." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Yes, certainly." in a friendly supper." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you that, and I came down." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It is his hat." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I will do it." "And that is--" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my distance from the station, and there we found the young lady to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "He is dead," cried several voices. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about things are very often connected not with the larger but with the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens are windows in it, of course?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his joking. a suggestive one." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Very much so." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came started for the Temple to see my husband. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I know where it is." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical ready to-morrow?' your only hope of safety." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had straighten it?" his huge brown hands. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into hopeless attempt at recovering them." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided closing the door.