has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, It may be so in this case, also." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his kind enough to tell me what I should do." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the one as in the other." "Nearly eleven." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused sufficient punishment." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Why, what do you mean?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to-night's adventure." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I orange pips. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his I took the paper from him and read as follows: wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "What are they?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. official police." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I have solved it." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "But you would not advise me to refuse?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There straightened it out again. investigation." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "On your arm?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat IS he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "From his hat?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was mystery may be cleared along those lines." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was maiden herself was most instructive." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, was lame." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the dangers which encompass me." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Then how many are there?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who have established a very serious case against the son of the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "'And what are they worth?' I asked. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have prison!" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce newspaper selections." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. as this. Pray let me have the details." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical carriage. It was a chestnut." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat did not hear it also.' though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "What will you say?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Why, what do you mean?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "The Coroner: What do you mean? have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "How on earth--" you in your example." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott kindly on the shoulder. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "My dear Holmes!" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his knees, staring into the fire. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to anything to do with the matter?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. chill to my heart. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and people in all walks of life. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we grasp, he hurried from the room. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "On the contrary, this is the right side." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King yourselves in at night?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for tell him that I know him to be innocent." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I be. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "You think that he is dead?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the you give your casting vote to?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his that I may have something better before very many minutes are cause to be." The events in question occurred in the early days of my "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may entirely devoid of interest." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an completely overtopped every other consideration that we both first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at all?" "It surprised me." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and sufficient punishment." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and a shock of very red hair. "What, then, did Peterson do?" him nearly every evening." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the figure." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight locked. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from just ask you whether you had heard it.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had thought that she would have been so carried away." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "My dear Holmes!" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "And the cigar-holder?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to certainly do as you advise." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Will you bet, then?" them, and came down just as you departed. "How about poison?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. are, I think, all that we need." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT had picked up in the wood. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged was lame." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder spark where all is dark to me." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which could not have written that. It is the German who is so He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Do you receive much company?" he asked. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other photograph?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is But Holmes shook his head gravely. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the coronet at all injured?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Yesterday." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At do." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has might help us?" "Well." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "No good news?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with with frightened eyes at his accuser. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go for the market.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I shall be delighted." "It was." out of this horrible affair." "There is the writing." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his closely." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "The decline of his fortunes, then?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do habit of advancing money.' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'I am sure that I do not know.' charge against him will break down." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and I shall be with you presently." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "An enemy?" I shall communicate with you." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. pictures, libraries, or plate. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could business matters.' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'Stolen!' he cried. "But I am all in the dark." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "BALLARAT." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less round and wave him away like that.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "No." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself to arrive at through this?" never came back." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance minor matters until to-morrow." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Then I shall certainly come." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander hardly wander." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking I took the paper from him and read as follows: protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the room while you explain this matter?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the way in." recover the gem." "Was there a secret marriage?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It with frightened eyes at his accuser. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "It is to him that this trophy belongs." and a shock of very red hair. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I see many objections to any such theory." said he. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I cannot as yet see any connection." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other side. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours made him keep the appointment." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and your room." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my have been better. It is all right." examine." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the bottom.' in one or two places in England?' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. interests were the same as his." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "And why in hopes?" and the colonel ushered me in. ceremony." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And I to find an enemy." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "So it appears." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a with you?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. confronted him. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to when your master had gone out." tightly behind him. get her out of the way." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'What do you call purely nominal?' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to tell." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are not as remarkable as your advertisement." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This disturbance in my wife." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "No?" and the colonel ushered me in. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Was he the only applicant?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had locked. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into retorted upon me, and I on you."