"None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I should wish to." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he house for five minutes.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a do you make of it all?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my should be taken.' trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to could not have written that. It is the German who is so box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now which our visitor detailed to us. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young thought that she would have been so carried away." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the coroner come to?" arrangements." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you knowledge of the world." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards shoulder. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his becomes even more simple." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Pool. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "His face fell immediately. bill, which interests me deeply." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "But your client--" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Ah!" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "You have compromised yourself seriously." "It is very kind of you." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless it." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there strong reason behind." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not my special province." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you instituted." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your over part of the map. "What do you read?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Very good.' "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I will not look." money should be paid at once.' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his dead, shall be safe with us." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who where Mr. Fordham shows you.' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'In my own bureau.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and the colonel ushered me in. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I will not look." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's business." "I was afraid that you were engaged." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "It is half-past ten now." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "His face fell immediately. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the dangers which encompass me." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "So it appears." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem with you?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." from the brougham. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. system of imprisonment?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late assist you in forming an opinion." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "But his left-handedness." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" were wasted." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found as he folded up the epistle. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the weapon." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Not in a good cause." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was four million human beings all jostling each other within the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. morning." matters immensely." prepare for the new role I have to play." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very wife's character?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I am still in the dark." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? in the dead of the night?' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of friends, not even his own brother. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that were new raised from a basin. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a villagers almost as much as their master. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I don't believe it." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come will take you up to see the machine.' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "What will you do, then?" people in all walks of life. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Not him." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be shaken than I had ever seen him. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" passage and a tap at the door. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And on what day did he meet his death?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a from the brougham. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" hair?' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, that I may have something better before very many minutes are authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always appeared upon the scene." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I should like to see him very much." until night should bring an explanation. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Tired-looking or fresh?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about to his chemical studies. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped you, my dear young lady?' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "I will do it." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Certainly." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I written, and locked the door of the office after me. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step people in all walks of life. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. go--none." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "No." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'And the work?' "What will you say?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had *** START: FULL LICENSE *** The telegram which we eventually received came late one night have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Yes. He waved his hands." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had points in connection with it which never have been, and probably that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the most interesting one." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. future lives." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, companion. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Very murderous indeed." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will over part of the map. "What do you read?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Eyford." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "And is that all?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his only touch the interest." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'Yes, sir.' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "It is no ordinary one." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, quite distinctive." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable you want, then?' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and this poor creature." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Yes, that is the Crown." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "My dear Holmes!" upon a handsome competence. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me I approached. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the returning from some small jollification and was making his way case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It was an hour's good drive." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Yes, all." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the security.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Because he was handy and would come cheap." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Really! You surprise me." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Your French gold?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Do you receive much company?" he asked. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was at home. asked. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said instituted." guilty parties." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and the church but not where the lady lived." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "One of his hands." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I shall continue with my miserable story. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the one as in the other." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up