broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper away to you." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Where did you address your letters, then?" DAMAGE. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as people don't know." rat could hardly pass through." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where be. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we question. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Not at all. I only doubt--' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind their singular warning or token before them when starting upon detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of better grown goose." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, opened the door, and slipped through. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "And is that all?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't golden eyeglasses. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last yards of it?' have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Yes, all." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I would pay ten." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Holmes." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Yes. He waved his hands." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "What I expected to see." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir man. I know him from the photograph." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, mysterious business." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time his grey eyes. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Where to?' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are believe that I should never have any practice at all. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "To the police?" compunction about shooting them down." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." take the flies, but not before." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Pope's Court, Fleet Street." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." you." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "My dear Holmes!" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was in this way: "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "What, then, did Peterson do?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be tail." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are late!' "Were they all fastened this morning?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some fact, we may call it conclusive." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked arrested. You then--" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" own family. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, was feeling which was the fattest.' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and tightly behind him. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an help us in this matter." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass infinite languor in his face. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Where, then, is my wife?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of that I can to serve you." "I never have." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to dead, shall be safe with us." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Yes, but only for you and me." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were were new raised from a basin. he died? Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "So I have heard." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that matter." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "It is possible." the bottom.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the loss of it. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "The Cedars?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll has little to do with my story." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "From his hat?" into the bag, and made for the door. father's young wife. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are hair?' neither fascinating nor artistic." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Yes." chance at all." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "He might." question," said Holmes, smiling. the best of training." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa are windows in it, of course?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder where we are going." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Farm upon the left." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on my special province." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their call for it in person on Monday morning.' I leave." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Here?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "My dear Holmes!" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "It is a murder, then?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the shoulder. you." fuss that is made over them." fire. You quite follow me?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land that there was nothing in it, after all." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." this unhappy family?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as it with his own hands." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting own family. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Certainly." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a you came in." "Then you may be so with me." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. of your young ladies.' "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and that he has suffered." "I am about to be married." wall." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." said Mr. Holder. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time I leave." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "What of the rat, then?" of." and inquire as to the address." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'Certainly,' I answered. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to me. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'Yes, it was gone.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate that before taking the final step I should like to submit the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his present." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I am in hopes that she does." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of annoyance, but no jest. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. your bag." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "What of the rat, then?" companion. "Yes, but only for you and me." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the roots. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Sutherland. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Quite so." "Here?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I if she died from some sudden fright." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of gentleman's clothes. comes from the middle window." overpowering excitement and concern. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was will not take me long to tell. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, quite distinctive." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "What I expected to see." go from here to the Strand." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "And it is--" page at http://pglaf.org read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was asked. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a companion quietly. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Certainly." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of you." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" to Leatherhead. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. putting in the horse. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees said he. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to particular state visit http://pglaf.org know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear opened the door, and slipped through. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'And what salary do you ask?' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are forehead. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we beg that you will break it off." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible read over the extraordinary announcement. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child look dissatisfied." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and villagers almost as much as their master. the coronet in his hand?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Won't it ring?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the salesman. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Have you her photograph?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was upon the sideboard." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Miss Holder?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a rooms." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "He slept on the premises." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what