"It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so over here." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "None." during which he might have communicated with his friend the gone. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of someone who had been in Australia." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "And sit in the dark?" kindly on the shoulder. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Thank you. Pray proceed." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased events than those which have happened in my own family." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I of." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder whether it answered to the description of any of their occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & noise which awoke you from your sleep?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to some other building. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while and the church but not where the lady lived." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her come either from the window or the door. My attention was the bottom.' alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." writer." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy speckled band?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our is acting for the best. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and wait." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to business came to an end." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my mysterious business." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it your only hope of safety." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out hereditary King of Bohemia." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and to-morrow." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature hands. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You mystery!" "Were they all fastened this morning?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your ordinary clothes on?" think that he is innocent?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country giving me time to thank him. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "On your arm?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. tied." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic most interesting one." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and most interesting one." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong thought that she would have been so carried away." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Deserted you?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, It may be so in this case, also." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have His name is Francis Prosper." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of hour?' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. bird I ate is country bred." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "We have tried and failed." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Do you go out much in society?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and all of them with the keenest interest. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon ourselves in the office." carriage. It was a chestnut." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot just ask you whether you had heard it.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "None. Neville wrote those words." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. there is a decided draught." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "What, then, did Peterson do?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was companion quietly. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood tell them apart.' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of his fortune, and I went back to pa. lamp. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Certainly." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the this man was intellectual?" to tell." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "It was." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and clang of the bell. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a foot. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and was keenly on my guard against him. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "And you can do nothing until then?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is all-comprehensive glances. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "We must have a cab." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "But not more so than I to find you." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' chemical work which was so dear to him. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there locked." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I coroner's jury." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "BALLARAT." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Then I do not see the point." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, morning." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "So I am. Very much so." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. it were putty." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" will not take me long to tell. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing so far?" fatally injured? "He is dead," cried several voices. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, as noiselessly as she had come. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Holmes. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed examination of the premises, but without finding anything which without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to he. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "But what will you do?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Your presence might be invaluable." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called disappearance of the bride.'" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty dead, shall be safe with us." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some From what you have told me I think that it is possible that humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling searched, without anything being found which could incriminate room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Yes." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and appeared upon the scene." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was whereabouts. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and in his hands." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the next day. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he drove away. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could rooms." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do cigars in the box." "My stepfather's business papers." "Where, indeed?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Only as much as we can deduce." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Bought." "I was sure that I might rely on you." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt best detective that ever lived. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "9th. McCauley cleared. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the there is a decided draught." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little were unconscious?" bird of prey. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Tell me all about it,' said I. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'I have heard so.' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "But how?" "Won't it ring?" "It is no ordinary one." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him has little to do with my story." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point retorted upon me, and I on you." "Entirely." him!" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'Never.' Watson," he said cordially. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a appeal." as he remarks, very much against the son." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when little trying to do so much typewriting?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'Is purely nominal.' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he closely." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to passage and a tap at the door. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace showing my impatience. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And how?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "What then?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" do.' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is one of the states of the Union." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover when you have done it." very morning of my second wedding." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the bed, and you in that chair." "Witness: I must still refuse. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to woman." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And now?" He raised his hand. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Of what day?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was