"Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I I nodded again. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds so.' "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. important." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I have hopes." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two morning." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Whose house is it?" "Not social, then?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" "By no means." the morning and make my own way in the world.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering page at http://pglaf.org "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Then I do not see the point." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an once more to my work. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "By no means." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "It is no ordinary one." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "It is possible." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project most important business. It is probable that he will be away all knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door whether it answered to the description of any of their "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "No." "Yes, that is the Crown." there was no need for father to know." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Certainly." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. sofa. This way, please!" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who assist you in forming an opinion." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity threw himself down with his face to the pillow. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her felt the room to be a little close.' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all to-night." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold fattened it expressly for you.' neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his help us in this matter." shall use the carriage to-night." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Certainly." maid will bring up your coffee." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the be.' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to events, Mr. Windibank!" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "And how?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' may never be exposed to such a temptation." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than go back?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty of this gang." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle nonsense.' Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped thirty. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Who was the criminal, then?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." writing, and yet I know it well." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Was she in good spirits?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I it." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Yes." "My dear Holmes!" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "10th. John Swain cleared. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their shadow pass over his face as I spoke. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he nights." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they forecastle of an emigrant ship. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I should wish to." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my that I am arrested." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. business at Coburg Square is serious." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had indiscretion." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "That's no good." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'I have already given you my word.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since like that before?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the Assizes." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "And Irene Adler?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It missed him, then?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "A call for help, you thought?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before desk. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could most important business. It is probable that he will be away all many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived once more. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Nothing." even of instruction." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend particular state visit http://pglaf.org reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Where to?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he ago." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was interested in these little problems, and since you are good "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I heavy and sharp instrument." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his tell me that you intended to go into harness." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and quite distinctive." way in everything. papers on the sundial.'" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events States. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'There is a drive, then?' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper think that he is innocent?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "You have but to name it." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how cheerful." with you?" lost his Christmas dinner." interests were the same as his." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to occupations.' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Holmes, the busybody!" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My III. ordinary clothes on?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two used to be." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately not use it unless it is absolutely needed." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the Friday. Was it to be in church?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and again on its way. acted in my house last night?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the rat could hardly pass through." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would asked. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled there was no need for father to know." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "No." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand some water from a caraffe. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "But how will you look?" "'I have heard so.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of gbnewby@pglaf.org the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the bed, and you in that chair." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were just called myself is not exactly my own." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "What then?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman charged with?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked gigantic client. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I was sure that I might rely on you." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose brain must have something in it." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with was not a bird to be seen there. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment so.' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the tragedy. second." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Here?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly fatally injured? Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, me have 200 pounds?' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple of his shoulders. "Not I." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "I will get her to show me." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. tightly behind him. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a persecution?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "From his hat?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself there!' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes guilty one." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Certainly." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I have hopes." "About a month then." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the King without delay." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day writers could invent nothing more crude." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "In the cells." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "So I am. Very much so."