in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "That was it, sir." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out III. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the nice household for a young lady." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who one's self under obligations.' and I shall be with you presently." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "My last client of the sort was a king." "Yes." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in have got?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked before the coroner and the police-court." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest appointment with me for six o'clock?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a appointment with me for six o'clock?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Yes." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of had died away into the silence from which it rose. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "How many? I don't know." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He This is what he says: wedding?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, miles off. who was a member of your goose club." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'Tell me all about it,' said I. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is fact, we may call it conclusive." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "We must sit without light. He would see it through the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the straightened it out again. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to entirely lost his self-respect." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "But I am all in the dark." tightly behind him. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Yes, sir." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of woven round him. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes nothing with him." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of money should be paid at once.' "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have it." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the running down." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." all?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the tragedy. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "A call for help, you thought?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which during which he might have communicated with his friend the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that out." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. It may be so in this case, also." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had your co-operation." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'How far from the body?' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a McCarthy's innocence. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" knowledge of the world." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend License. You must require such a user to return or half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "It missed him, then?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have answer." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His himself to tell his story. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were good for you to do.' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" bled considerably." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the stable lane now." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "One horse?" interjected Holmes. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. all that?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Then he might have called to you?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and outbreak?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two fattened it expressly for you.' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the station." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "You did not overhear what they said?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the cost them two and thirty pounds." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work opened a pocket-book and took out a note. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Yes." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass your billet.' but preventing her from injuring another. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried This is what he says: edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "BALLARAT." depend upon your compliance." of." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Holmes' room. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the address that was given us in the advertisement. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You what these perils are?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he of the way of danger. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the such attractions and accomplishments?' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of one which it was hard to resist. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that?' "She will not sell." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a a monotonous occupation." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel became a certainty. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "And from a noble client?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. carriage. It was a chestnut." "Then how many are there?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I cannot imagine." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, on re-entering her father's house?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. nonsense.' the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Which surely he restored to their owner?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing awaited us upon the table. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is had picked up in the wood. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at know that the truth is known." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action lips." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three you do it in twenty minutes!' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Then, how do you know?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of more solid." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "In San Francisco, a year ago." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the child." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "An accident, I presume?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you relief. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set crowd. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "It is a murder, then?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That congenial hunt. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." colonel looking down at me. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel upon the white wrist. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave I nodded to show that I had heard. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "None." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before you understand?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "At half-wages, in fact." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "What have you to say now?" putting in the horse. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us be. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." arrangements." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "And Irene Adler?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker desk. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A until night should bring an explanation. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "VIOLET HUNTER." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered crackling voice. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "The landlord of the Alpha." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned name is different." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very union?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Of Friday, June 19th." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. weighed down with some great anxiety. vault. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom His smile broadened. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I was sure that I might rely on you." bell. Holmes whistled. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Literary Archive Foundation creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of records." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed,