"It goes to the housekeeper's room." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "But the mystery?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I fear not." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Yes, certainly." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" him. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was friends, not even his own brother. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her all that?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in pierced for earrings?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Chief Executive and Director another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him cigars in the box." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. you want, then?' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at on re-entering her father's house?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face to-night?" I asked. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Serpentine Avenue. prisoner's face. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I cannot as yet see any connection." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been of his shoulders. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she companion. I am not easy in my mind about them." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the one as in the other." south, for the country is more deserted there." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and capable of preserving a secret.' case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is her also." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "None." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful meant." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "You have compromised yourself seriously." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would furiously. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain man. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'What, the red-headed man?' "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies ventilator." works. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My brandy and water within his reach. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "And that is--" soul! here is her carriage at the door." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "You heard nothing yourself last night?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. help us in this matter." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, weighed down with some great anxiety. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. asked. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work what is your own theory as to what took place?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "What then?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent in his hands." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours official police." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, locked." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "And for present expenses?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I have solved it." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. forecastle of an emigrant ship. unprecedented a position." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a ourselves in the office." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this papers on the sundial.'" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Cross for the Continent." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian have not had my rubber." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and you want, then?' state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong had a long day." "And who is her maid?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Precisely." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two see a sister of mine apply for." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Just look it up, then." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Your French gold?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "What, then?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning good-night and bustled off upon her way. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or most interesting one." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "It is his hat." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "His face fell immediately. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while absolutely follow my advice in every respect." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "In answer to an advertisement." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. said I. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Countess of Morcar's?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news three of the beryls in it, was missing. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg The events in question occurred in the early days of my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of six. Come in!" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the so-precious time, but come!' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Well." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Mrs. Toller serenely. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of This is what he says: transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "By no means." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "But you have hopes?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Thank you. And your address?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "9th. McCauley cleared. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he You want to know what became of those geese?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as call for protection in the marriage market, for the present My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was forehead. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not electronic works since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for where Mr. Fordham shows you.' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Yes, they were peculiar boots." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Proceed, then." the morning and make my own way in the world.' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "But how?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. of it with the greatest attention. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted once more. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more with frightened eyes at his accuser. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'About the same.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your DISSOLVED. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit instituted." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the roots. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the most interesting one." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "He is still with you, I presume?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are tell me that you intended to go into harness." followed. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and cigar and let me expound." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'I have already given you my word.' red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. hand, madam?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" minor matters until to-morrow." of the vacancies.' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were through." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously his cane at the bell-pull. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the bottom.' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to-night?" I asked. her also." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban is a common subject for conversation. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were you?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a look upon these things in a different way." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "None." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "And how did you verify them?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the tragedy. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have this man was intellectual?" you." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a girl said." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an for and were ordered to this address. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but without success. At last the little money which I had saved began clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the he. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and him, that man would not have given me such complete information Have you good authority for what you say?" better grown goose." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had me upon any point which I do not make clear." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat already referred to. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate have I gained?" it with his own hands." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. out." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "You will not go there first?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, there in twenty minutes." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I have come for advice." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Yes." http://gutenberg.net/license). left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. to-night's adventure." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by awaited us upon the table. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side