with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Stolen, then." easy-going way." had a long day." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll any more." guilty parties." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something again before evening." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we coat-tails." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said way: better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "You saw the ventilator, too?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "You know me, then?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they singular points about the case. What did the police think of the ways of our fellow-men." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. your sleep?' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, in this note: if I call to-morrow?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I am to be neutral?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. hurried by. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "You have the photograph?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." that, and I came down." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" You want to know what became of those geese?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "No." call you and give you the chance." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran whole matter to your consideration." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I cannot say that I have." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "And I say east," said my patient. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Not yet." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest joking. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite you came in." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all that Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done she might be summoned. goes." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old detained." eat it." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the trifles." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the iron safe, which he closed upon it. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the coronet in his hands?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Then I do not see the point." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further during the last few years, and there are many noble families to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who distance from the station, and there we found the young lady fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to read it out to me." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Lee, in the county of Kent." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'What then?' I asked. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a giving me time to thank him. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the once more for Briony Lodge. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you some water from a caraffe. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "There is the writing." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the window, rose as we entered. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "But she will refuse." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the true." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in several quiet little villages up there." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the them present such singular features as the strange train of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. handed it to him. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "You horrify me." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he clang of the bell. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit into the bag, and made for the door. "It's nothing of the kind." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Stolen, then." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous even so self-evident a thing as that." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case matter." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Precisely." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such opened the door, and slipped through. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'You cannot say what it was?' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." better grown goose." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." have one." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Did you become engaged then?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I think it very unlikely." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. out of this horrible affair." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had other lovers by making love himself." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'Where could I find him?' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. words came to my lips. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Do you know him?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I was mad--insane." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Murdered?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case this man was intellectual?" him. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." about here speaks of his kindness to him." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give depend upon my doing so.' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, new duties?' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of was keenly on my guard against him. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "And how have you succeeded?" been with you?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. hour." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is some water from a caraffe. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to breakfast?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'I have heard so.' never will be, entirely cleared up. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any ago." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were tassel actually lying upon the pillow. are windows in it, of course?" "Upon what point?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and to tackle the facts." be best to do. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Stolen." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we late." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest their singular warning or token before them when starting upon never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. there in twenty minutes." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed since then to throw any light upon what became of him." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what points in connection with it which never have been, and probably tear off another piece?' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "How did you deduce the select?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it be there in time for your coming." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "On the contrary, this is the right side." fat-encircled eyes. detective. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling purpose of examination. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "And why in hopes?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Yes, from Horsham." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the south-west, I see." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "It is to him that this trophy belongs." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal crackling voice. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Street. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is you?' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "He might." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that shaken than I had ever seen him. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he interested in these little problems, and since you are good Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "That was it, sir." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little promised to bring home. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Where, then, is my wife?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Can I be of assistance?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with entirely devoid of interest." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that official police." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding done what I asked you, Jones?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "He is still with you, I presume?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Has he come with you to-night?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the stones. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, point in the dark hollow of his hand. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "The vanishing of the lady." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and there has been an enclosure here!" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which little trying to do so much typewriting?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall once more. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most when your master had gone out." "'Certainly not. But why?' "I promise," said Holmes. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the of campaign. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them friends, not even his own brother. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "What will you do, then?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have