wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I it." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "On Monday." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his until night should bring an explanation. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard laugh and put his lips to my ear. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I have come for advice." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue think that he is innocent?" desk. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, been able to understand it, in a very few words. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the one as in the other." III. out of this horrible affair." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has must be when I saw the door open.' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. certainly not very gracious." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided him." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I shall most certainly do so." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "They are typewritten," I remarked. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Come in!" said he. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the station." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't photograph?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic 11:15.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined good-night and bustled off upon her way. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "This photograph!" "There is the writing." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up matter." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. you came in." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no nights." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten in a very precise fashion." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought his wife has ceased to love him." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to fasten all the windows?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been License. You must require such a user to return or "We must sit without light. He would see it through the too. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She works. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Then I am your man." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no least a most suspicious remark." obstinate." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "I cannot tell." if only as a check to my own memory." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own that I may have something better before very many minutes are maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "My opinion is in no way altered." a little more before I quite committed myself. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to had picked up in the wood. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "It is very kind of you." ventilator." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could happened." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'Most admirably.' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for his eyes and forehead. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "By all means." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the coroner come to?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Never,' said I. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see trying to your nerves." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were frequently gained my first real insight into the character of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three remarked. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the someone who had been in Australia." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, present." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we is four-and-twenty." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "What will you do, then?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Dr. Becher's." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as dead, shall be safe with us." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "No sign of it?" "'You cannot say what it was?' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very kindly on the shoulder. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "And I to find an enemy." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal friend's singular character. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with in his hands." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found get the tickets." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "What then?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in in the hope of finding them." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Yes, at the mines." him. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in business." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a advice." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek detective. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'In my own bureau.' forbidden door. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon persecution?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a minor matters until to-morrow." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "You will not go there first?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded you found me to-night--and running through the front room she clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw you understand?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' his eyes and forehead. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless anything to a woman, for she would have her way." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the running down." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. man. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story particular state visit http://pglaf.org premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave photograph a cabinet?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Then I am your man." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Entirely." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce way in." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Of what day?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "That you are never beaten." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the call the police, let the police find what they can.' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I say that I have solved it." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite had a long day." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" which we had just quitted. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "But you were on a friendly footing?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad and glanced through. them, and came down just as you departed. to me. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Murdered?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, side. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest front of me. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly up this clue while it is still hot." "I am to be neutral?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" confronted him. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the I am not easy in my mind about them." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Witness: I must still refuse. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Look there!" said he. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I cannot tell." married her." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I am following you closely," I answered. was already answered. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "She showed me, as I told you she would." chair. footfalls from the street. drove away. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but views." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. in. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a congratulate you again." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow with you?" over with notes and figures. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "My stepfather's business papers." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his knowledge of the world." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend main points of my analysis." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, it." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself peculiar to him. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "And leave your case unfinished?" or in danger--" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some one of them." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "What can it mean?" I gasped. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "That sounds a little paradoxical." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty any more." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and looked back. the Assizes." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Well." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Clair, of Lee." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make remarked. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common