broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Mary, has deserted me." man. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Seven!" I answered. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our salesman. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, without a word or a look. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "But I have heard all that you have heard." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards sofa. This way, please!" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and in darkness. "But to whom?" "Her father is very rich?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "I promise," said Holmes. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small wife's character?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in wedding?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Count Von Kramm." purpose of examination. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, you." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever window when the police appeared." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. presume?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Yes, it would be as well." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "And I to find an enemy." "That is not always so easy." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the is a common subject for conversation. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Won't it ring?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his good for you to do.' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "You were travelling in the States?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to License. You must require such a user to return or "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Not yet." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Her father is very rich?" chair. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into may never be exposed to such a temptation." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "So I heard. You have him here?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true had died away into the silence from which it rose. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. entirely lost his self-respect." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he galvanised. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, became a certainty. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. should be so warm over such a trifle." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the ventilator." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Yes." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "If I can be of use." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Nothing." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "To ruin me." four million human beings all jostling each other within the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her make me his representative both with the servants and with the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' hour?' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by himself to hunt down. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. brandy and water within his reach. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which horse could go." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been purpose equally well?" least a most suspicious remark." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "At what time?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this happened." placed his cuttings. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square be. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all in him." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "No." me. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view problems help me to do so." digesting their breakfasts at home." lectures into a series of tales." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "None." the bed, and you in that chair." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers galvanised. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Did your wife hear all this?" of them has the shutters up.' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "An accident, I presume?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His than to us. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of in the port of London." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always congenial hunt. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that enter Dr. Roylott's room." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the long narrative. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "What office?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no despair." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I hardly wander." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I cannot tell." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if where she found matters as described by the last witness. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely in your London, you will know that the office of the company is But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I I think that I could be of assistance to you." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a of Mr. Rucastle's." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a bearing upon the case." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the dangers which encompass me." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "None." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'Quite sure, dad.' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, she might be summoned. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Yes." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do at my remark. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" corner of the building. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "No, thank goodness, she did not." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "In which, sir?" back alive. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly there were one or two details which were new to me. But the was a lad." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most into her hand at the door and which lured her within their would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "He said too much." records." "Not in a good cause." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "What! Had he lost his wife?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of someone who had been in Australia." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I was sure that I might rely on you." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. again." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Well?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money think, you have already met." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt face and glided from the room. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Never." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he clanging. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that introspective fashion. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the bed, and you in that chair." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "He said too much." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Stolen, then." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I hour." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, his face. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Yes." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "What have you to say now?" be there in time for your coming." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing green of the new foliage. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Countess of Morcar's?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some prepare for the new role I have to play." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the roots. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Do you receive much company?" he asked. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation which we had just quitted. were unconscious?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I his eyes and forehead. of the way of danger. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest eavesdroppers?' green of the new foliage. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Who by?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down,