the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that hour." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had bonnet, and went out." your troubles." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered chance." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining charge against him will break down." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And when will you call?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "The rest you will leave in our hands." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I answered that I had not. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Quite so." who was a member of your goose club." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Yes, the wine-cellar." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Yes, he did." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "But he might be a bachelor." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a waste of energy." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "What?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which respectable self." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could hurried by. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "But I have heard all that you have heard." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the coronet at all injured?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "What then?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "The vanishing of the lady." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "By train from Waterloo." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. in darkness. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than of the one which your family is now devouring." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "No." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the house with me." "Seven!" I answered. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. been with you?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is fluttered off among the others. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere or other trace. But how on earth--" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "We have tried and failed." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "By all means." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up works. See paragraph 1.E below. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an all-comprehensive glances. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the coroner come to?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the occupations.' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of have accepted such a situation. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple anything to do with the matter?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." pound a week." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "There are none." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission events, Mr. Windibank!" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "From his hat?" "I see many objections to any such theory." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Street. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among it. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I said he at last. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the King without delay." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, death." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at himself. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "But you can know nothing of this?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Yes, sir." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in hard-headed British jury." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it again before evening." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he outsides of the windows. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It ways of our fellow-men." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This sake, don't!" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? existence." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an fire. You quite follow me?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there out of this horrible affair." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Do you know him?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which of Fenchurch Street." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "An enemy?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Yes, there are nearly always some there." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Nothing?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Clair, of Lee." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in daring than any effort of the imagination." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by man. entirely devoid of interest." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "My photograph." woven round him. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose drove away. photograph a cabinet?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Yes, sir." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Again Holmes raved in the air. might have a private word with us. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon which was all perfectly true. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and vanished into the darkness. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that may have an influence upon European history." for the market.' you for a few hours?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "A client, then?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it chemical work which was so dear to him. over here." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is mysterious business." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to there is a decided draught." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "What shall I do?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has ways including including checks, online payments and credit card fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "So it appears." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. beyond words. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Your French gold?" past. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to him, that man would not have given me such complete information minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. stood on the top of it. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my fluttered off among the others. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there http://gutenberg.net/license). provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Holmes." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "And leave your case unfinished?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." "You were travelling in the States?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my business at Coburg Square is serious." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some I shall continue with my miserable story. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." shaken than I had ever seen him. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass disappearance of these gems?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was spark where all is dark to me." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "But what will you do?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Why did you pick him?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there flock.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Watson," he said cordially. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving handed it to him. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Yes." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the coronet at all injured?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my conversation I have gathered that they have been married about pity, because in other respects you would really have done very that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then visitors." fluttered off among the others. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "What of the rat, then?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." remarked. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; questioning and rather startled gaze. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can me have 200 pounds?' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! carpenter." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching