"What then?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" my former friend and companion. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what extraordinary contortions. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," all?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I am following you closely," I answered. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the recover the gem." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And some mystery and the punishment of some crime." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys begin with, and I had not got mine yet." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "VIOLET HUNTER." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is learned something! Where are the gems?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew village inn over there?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Was she in good spirits?" "No, distinctly professional." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were of your young ladies.' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Holmes." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Stolen." empty. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but The telegram which we eventually received came late one night sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this but preventing her from injuring another. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that not as remarkable as your advertisement." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Yes.' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Leave Paddington by the 11:15." woven round him. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "I have solved it." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Street. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." copied or distributed: are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the coronet in his hand?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. said I. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Which surely he restored to their owner?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the village inn over there?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She them, and came down just as you departed. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Nothing." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector you?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two James Windibank. Voilà tout!" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Always." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Seven!" I answered. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, ventilator." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'I am sure if I had known--' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "About a month then." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left bell. Holmes whistled. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Will you bet, then?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. more terrible than the truth. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in from you?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your could not account in any way for the presence of the missing which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "What, then?" the warnings." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Holmes. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." morning." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found which was all perfectly true. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Serpentine Avenue. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." retorted upon me, and I on you." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not detained." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, not come at once?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt already referred to. "I should like to see him very much." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Holmes rather sternly. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Mrs. Toller serenely. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird writing, and yet I know it well." fattened it expressly for you.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Then you may be so with me." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "But she will refuse." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I how narrow had been my escape. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of the efforts of the United States government and of the better stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." himself. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "She showed me, as I told you she would." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let upon the shelf for the interim." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was it. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'As governess?' "But you can know nothing of this?" you understand?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, of the one which your family is now devouring." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he criminal. We have already had experience of such." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and you for a few hours?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I nights." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. writing, and yet I know it well." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence and your relations to her." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should over here." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Arthur Conan Doyle walking." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, way: presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this country, and eventually married, without anyone having a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist deduce something from that?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a bird of prey. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Will you bet, then?" lost his Christmas dinner." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "And when will you call?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence gone. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'What, the red-headed man?' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And I." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Did you observe the colour?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "And your father? Did you tell him?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking showing my impatience. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to noting anything else of interest. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed formed some opinion?" records." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "And why?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we to affect your life." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Ah!" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "And who is her maid?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Then the page we have seen--" more terrible than the truth. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Holmes' room. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "No, thank goodness, she did not." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'About the same.' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and a shock of very red hair. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Gutenberg-tm License. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Yes." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my my room." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," forehead. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Absolutely?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped particular state visit http://pglaf.org gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from enough to aid us in our search." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Nothing?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, he bowed and left the room without another word. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. chamber." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Where does the thing come from?' excitement. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Henry Baker is a member." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Pray do so." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was foresight and the moral retrogression?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Oh, no.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Nearly eleven." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would tail." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to