it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "What! Had he lost his wife?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly your own bird, so if you wish--" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and the colonel ushered me in. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "So I am. Very much so." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a figure." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I should be immensely obliged to you." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and some water from a caraffe. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal you?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Stolen, then." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, constraint." "How do you know, then?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Holmes' face clouded over. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its meant it for the best. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "It is possible." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings to miss it." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. distinguish the words: we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for matter." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire ready to-morrow?' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "That was it, sir." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten flock.' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I beg pardon." wife's character?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "At the wedding breakfast." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "My stepfather's business papers." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No distinguish the words: "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute most important business. It is probable that he will be away all I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." compunction about shooting them down." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." believe that I should never have any practice at all. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a correct than the official force." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Yes." placed his cuttings. everything which you would wish to know." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting hand, madam?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'Very good.' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was amused." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you was it brought him the coronet? flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "'And what are they worth?' I asked. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the warnings." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I will get her to show me." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "And sit in the dark?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your girl said." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It looks newer than the other things?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Were they all fastened this morning?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "What, then, did Peterson do?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Why? What do you mean?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "No, but the enclosure is." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "You think so, too?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Come in!" said he. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug breakfast and whispered something to her husband. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as point our research must commence, and we will begin it by body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. appeared upon the scene." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the was a perfect sample of the class. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To just called myself is not exactly my own." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving like that before?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' third from London." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in down from London to inquire more deeply into it." might have a private word with us. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the been able to understand it, in a very few words. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I came to find a friend." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant in the dead of the night?' what these perils are?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "To an end?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a hour?' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Yes, certainly." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE did not hear it also.' Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away presented which may be striking and bizarre without being incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached open." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do o'clock is it?" without a word or a look. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Well?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow with her." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, you." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you indeed happy." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Yes." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be than to us. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "And why?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last there!' had picked up in the wood. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed never will be, entirely cleared up. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a plantation.' doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we easy-going way." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On was lame." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." prisoner's face. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and vault. "Where did you address your letters, then?" your sleep?' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take strength." with frightened eyes at his accuser. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "It is no ordinary one." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'Is purely nominal.' not, dad?" she asked. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I think it very unlikely." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the King without delay." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my up this clue while it is still hot." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I should wish to." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Perfectly so." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "The doctor?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a ourselves in the office." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the best of training." lamp in his hand. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a an introduction to him?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far fire. You quite follow me?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Precisely." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. bell. Holmes whistled. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search visitors." an introduction to him?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. your room." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "You have a clue?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved it." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "When did she vanish, then?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "You know me, then?" "Whose house is it?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Then the page we have seen--" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining crowd. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my bled considerably." straightened it out again. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which could go. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Entirely." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid fatally injured? "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate must be when I saw the door open.'