be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Texas, I think." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than wedding?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "You did not overhear what they said?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated had picked up in the wood. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Eyford at 11:15.' "To ruin me." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'And the work?' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire lost his Christmas dinner." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have better in every way that they should make their position a little and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Yes, sir." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about your own bird, so if you wish--" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked room had already been engaged for us. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' feature." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he impression behind it as though a window had gently closed his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Certainly,' I answered. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty murdered man." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for matters immensely." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off I leave." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Ample." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I am to be neutral?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than are windows in it, of course?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." examine." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "But the mystery?" telegram would bring me down to your help." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less bonnet, and went out." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I guessed as much." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Holmes." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, mysterious business." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "So it appears." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. me what he had done with the three missing stones. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. have had none more fantastic than this." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the delirious. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: down in his armchair and closing his eyes. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Not him." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been where she found matters as described by the last witness. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, directly by questioning you." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any when you have done it." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the said he. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door test if we have an answer to our advertisement." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove ill-usage at the hands of fortune. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Then I can wait in the next room." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some asked. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "You think that he is dead?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work pierced for earrings?" "Nearly eleven." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which for its centre. "And the murderer?" "I beg pardon." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a McCarthy's innocence. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative was once confined in the cab my mission was practically forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and nothing of it?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Never to return." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Murdered?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and know that the truth is known." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me your most interesting statement." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' and looked back. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Do you go out much in society?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into again, where I was soon asleep. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond your most interesting statement." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of paper in the air. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "You have carte blanche." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "To an end?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "How often?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, suddenly upon us." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any very morning of my second wedding." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Look there!" said he. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further will he say when he returns?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon nothing with him." in my life." off." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that fattened it expressly for you.' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have prison!" "Then what has happened to him?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a British peeress.'" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "It is no ordinary one." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Did you become engaged then?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start ourselves in the office." in the hope of finding them." started for the Temple to see my husband. legal crime." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is this truth that in these little records of our cases which you hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "The decline of his fortunes, then?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get said I. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I am following you closely," I answered. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I am about to be married." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who colour had been driven from his face. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised prison!" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place these bleak autumnal evenings." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "It is very kind of you." the dangers which encompass me." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their wanted for ourselves." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Always." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been interested in these little problems, and since you are good our word." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I think that it is very probable." "The doctor?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny delighted to hear it," he said. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," corner of the building. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the inner apartment." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Not yet." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a started for the Temple to see my husband. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Well, some hundreds of times." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case so far?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his hardly wander." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and delighted to hear it," he said. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very not personally threatened." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Then how many are there?" "Will you go?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Eh? What was that?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family just called myself is not exactly my own." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'Entirely.' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional not come at once?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a pierced for earrings?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great of fine shops and stately business premises that they really settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "This concluded the examination of the witness." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, several quiet little villages up there." this remarkable episode. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "You are all wrong." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it present." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at already referred to. results." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "What of the rat, then?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from shaken than I had ever seen him. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate not as remarkable as your advertisement." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be back alive. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet,"