"Then you don't think I'll see him again?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, be.' him nearly every evening." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in to tackle the facts." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Proceed, then." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when that he has suffered." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the unclasping of his long thin hands. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he to have that photograph." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'Yes, sir.' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Very murderous indeed." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my during that time.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our some city in a dream. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Sutherland?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, him." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. how narrow had been my escape. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." way in everything. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring begin with, and I had not got mine yet." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he ashen face. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows since then to throw any light upon what became of him." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "What do you mean?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they mystery." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and the church but not where the lady lived." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' page at http://pglaf.org Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended case before our client came into the room." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "When did she vanish, then?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in late." disappearance of the bride.'" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you respectable self." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so future lives." him to be an active member of the medical profession." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the together. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "And I to find an enemy." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with she might be summoned. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that hour." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I have seen the police." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "She showed me, as I told you she would." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the coroner's jury." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most of Mr. Rucastle's." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "No sign of it?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his morning." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Yes, but only for you and me." plantation.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to girl said." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Here?" "'And the work?' week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the light and attacked it." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "And for present expenses?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "He disappeared so suddenly." "No. What a strange idea!" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave I shall continue with my miserable story. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your way: have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "It is possible." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet to go into your room and bar your shutters?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, better grown goose." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try relief. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" carried out of court." quite distinctive." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation begun to whiten, even as mine has." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, I nodded again. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up opened the door, and slipped through. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "What! Had he lost his wife?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "By train from Waterloo." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Not particularly." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for fish-monger and a tide-waiter." himself in a perplexing position. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Where did he live, then?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Yes, I have one waiting." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently true." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped drawing your inferences." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Has he come with you to-night?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the that there was nothing in it, after all." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "By train from Waterloo." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I was sure that I might rely on you." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and criminal. We have already had experience of such." child?' "It was an hour's good drive." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "What of the rat, then?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps questionable one." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" galvanised. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" you give your casting vote to?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "How are you getting on?" "On Monday." might have a private word with us. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Farm upon the left." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." drove away. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. to change my dress. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about over with notes and figures. lumber-room." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was gone. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be hurried by. him nearly every evening." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his straighten it?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I he. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his never will be, entirely cleared up. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either before, for it was considerably after midnight. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke bachelor.' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from whereabouts. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we in the hope of finding them." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, fatally injured? and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our ways including including checks, online payments and credit card corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH leave you to your papers for a little." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Yes." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "She showed me, as I told you she would." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Yes, certainly." "And how did you find out?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Surrey." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing o'clock is it?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. I nodded to show that I had heard. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the States. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "You forget that I know nothing about it." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, which was all perfectly true. "It surprised me." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. that you can jump it.' ways of our fellow-men." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been in the port of London." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." acquaintance?" to talk it over. events, Mr. Windibank!" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall that you wished to speak to me?' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the as noiselessly as she had come. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I remarked. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was noting anything else of interest. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my back into the street. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large as noiselessly as she had come. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I fear not." absorbing." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "ARAT," I read. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the indeed which he could not unravel. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the himself to tell his story. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who gigantic client. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Yes." papers." "Will you go?" Holmes." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful conclusions. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Yes, it would be as well." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Not in a good cause." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Yes." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the other, as fresh and trim as possible. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "But I have heard all that you have heard." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to present strange and interesting features that it is no easy game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "And how did he make his money?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'And what salary do you ask?' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The families. Now for the facts. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical again before evening." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I promise," said Holmes.