a very grave face. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At guilty parties." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Yes, there are nearly always some there." tapping his fingers upon the table. London for the present?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project eat it." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Pray continue your narrative." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "It's nothing of the kind." "What have you to say now?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Perfectly so." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I came to find a friend." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Come in!" said he. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'Yes, sir.' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the signal between you and your father? "You have the photograph?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I page at http://pglaf.org America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Then what has happened to him?" congratulate you again." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "He disappeared so suddenly." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is strength of mind to control. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, hour?' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "The landlord of the Alpha." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as constraint." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the night.' triumphant cloud from his cigarette. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." do." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it beyond words. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Miss Holder?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I fear not." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea ran thus: remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Nothing?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never overpowering excitement and concern. "'About the same.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard south, for the country is more deserted there." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "The Coroner: What do you mean? rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You have it, sir, just as it happened." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in married her." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her States. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away so.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is observed. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and put his glass in his pocket. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Yes, all." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly that you can jump it.' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY brandy and water within his reach. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this floor. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having directors have had misgivings upon the subject." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Cross for the Continent." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "His face fell immediately. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found is four-and-twenty." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss will he say when he returns?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work several quiet little villages up there." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Entirely.' vanished into the darkness. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "It is his hat." "I guessed as much." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he considering the formidable letters which were received by himself I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "No, but the enclosure is." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Not in a good cause." secret." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I think that I had better go, Holmes." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and ready to-morrow?' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a only touch the interest." upon the white wrist. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, bell. Holmes whistled. "By no means." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated details." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the followed. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little 1.F. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "You know me, then?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: eavesdroppers?' late." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" hardly wander." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. you, my dear young lady?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup guilty parties." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." long narrative. "What do you make of that, Watson?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Where, indeed?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Yes, only one." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "The best possible." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Well." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." showing my impatience. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and effective." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen you want, then?' unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the window, rose as we entered. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in shoulder. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the date of his supposed suicide." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, rat could hardly pass through." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "And how did you find out?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further his huge brown hands. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two taking in every detail of the apartment. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical him nearly every evening." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul question. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, main points of my analysis." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of villagers almost as much as their master. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in later, upon the night of May 2nd." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "And now?" I asked. little trying to do so much typewriting?" Eyford." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'I am sure that I do not know.' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Then you may be so with me." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no status with the IRS. security.' enter into my head. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of humiliation." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Then the page we have seen--" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers wife's character?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and just called myself is not exactly my own." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "What can you not understand?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "But I am all in the dark." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "You know me, then?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the here and I will read it to you: reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The to his chemical studies. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down was already answered. forehead. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Nothing." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Do you know him?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'And the work?' Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "It certainly sounds feasible." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his again before evening." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all best detective that ever lived. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he down. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and the church but not where the lady lived." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the room while you explain this matter?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "You don't mind breaking the law?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the wall." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, what these perils are?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully system of imprisonment?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on of fine shops and stately business premises that they really wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, hopeless attempt at recovering them." that I can to serve you." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Tired-looking or fresh?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep second window is the one that I jumped from." most interesting one." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, I leave." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists