"It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "And why in hopes?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can what do you think they found in the pockets?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "At the wedding breakfast." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion that he will be back before evening." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at affection." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "You horrify me." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, overpowering excitement and concern. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try developed." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "10th. John Swain cleared. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his hopeless attempt at recovering them." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it our word." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "You are certainly joking, Holmes." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House crime. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "It is possible." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery fuss that is made over them." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger be there in time for your coming." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." main points of my analysis." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Stoke Moran?" said he. miles off. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my your sleep?' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Who was the criminal, then?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. as yours." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with your co-operation." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Yes, he did." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the again." outbreak?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened these bleak autumnal evenings." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of question. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power copied or distributed: to that open window." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I help us in this matter." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Yes. He waved his hands." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass strode off upon his way. her also." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'Yes, sir.' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to some other building. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "But who is he?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really not fit the lock." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'A dozen yards or so.' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their you do it in twenty minutes!' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Stolen." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which against a man in the prime of life?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential own family. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you carried out of court." and inquire as to the address." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of there is a decided draught." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "What shall I do?" "VIOLET HUNTER." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And is that all?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "No, I had a dozen." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. at a side door. "In the cells." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I cannot as yet see any connection." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Won't it ring?" sound at heart." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign answered with a sidelong glance. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Your French gold?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most a little more before I quite committed myself. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "In what way?" asked Holmes. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the waste of energy." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Of Friday, June 19th." in his power. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "My dear Holmes!" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Certainly." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional mystery." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and ashen face. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may mystery may be cleared along those lines." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, held up the lantern and gazed about him. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, astonishment. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I cannot say that I have." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the very letters. But what is this written above them?' visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the was a lad." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "He might." strong reason behind." them present such singular features as the strange train of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this even of instruction." tell them apart.' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. writing, and yet I know it well." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon despair." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Dr. Becher's." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "One of the highest in England." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I am armed." look dissatisfied." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to this remarkable episode. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I came to find a friend." said he. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I came to find a friend." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "None." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Entirely.' "Why, what do you mean?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'Yes, sir.' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my into the bag, and made for the door. whether it answered to the description of any of their rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, detective. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as down. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Yes." "'It is locked up,' I answered. that interests were the same as his." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely crime. beyond words. I have it here in my museum." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture room had already been engaged for us. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "From his hat?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered DISSOLVED. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police not as remarkable as your advertisement." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "My last client of the sort was a king." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have neither fascinating nor artistic." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of tapping his fingers upon the table. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "That sounds a little paradoxical." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Then, how do you know?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Were they all fastened this morning?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was infinite languor in his face. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the strength in the others." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle some city in a dream. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. should be so warm over such a trifle." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable all?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Dark enough and sinister enough." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the derbies." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally there was no need for father to know." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. happened." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "How about poison?" joking. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," disappearance of these gems?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "And what then?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "You saw the ventilator, too?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "That's no good." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis anything to do with the matter?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, photograph a cabinet?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay said he at last. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It is no ordinary one." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, you." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon him!" held up the lantern and gazed about him. charged with?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post weapon." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an absorbing." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at be. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up