just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness disappearance of these gems?" "The King of Scandinavia." the bottom.' fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, garden below. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and a shock of very red hair. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. know what is wrong with it.' man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his yards of it?' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Did you observe the colour?" do you make of it all?" tightly behind him. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for for securing the situation." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the dangers which encompass me." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Then let me do so?' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. me have 200 pounds?' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Witness: I must still refuse. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon details should find their way into the papers. Inspector 11:15.' do you make of it all?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." derbies." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be at home. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate that I can to serve you." straightened it out again. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to long narrative. were new raised from a basin. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Does that suggest anything?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Breckinridge is his name." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "We must have a cab." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses morning." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such mysterious business." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." shaken than I had ever seen him. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this singular points about the case. What did the police think of the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Pope's Court. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was clang of the bell. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something husband's writing, madam." "And Miss Sutherland?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that strong reason behind." "Was he the only applicant?" happened." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "How long did she speak to this Alice?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most as this. Pray let me have the details." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at your bag." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Surrey." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "And it is--" spark where all is dark to me." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from was the fact that his father should, according to his account, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Entirely." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose putting in the horse. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the flock.' deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as speckled band?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the matter?" certainly not very gracious." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to think, you have already met." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No, distinctly professional." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "But how?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for your only hope of safety." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of touch that coronet?' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she redistribution. again before evening." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry heavy and sharp instrument." even so self-evident a thing as that." should be so warm over such a trifle." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which you in your example." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest tail." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. one which it was hard to resist. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "I would pay ten." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Yes." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding problems help me to do so." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his acquaintance?" is four-and-twenty." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more strength of mind to control. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "But not more so than I to find you." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Pray tell us what has happened to you." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a extraordinary contortions. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I am armed." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang closing the door. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no vault. "Could he throw no light?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been asked with his eyes open. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." head. So long, then!" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent train.' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the is four-and-twenty." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right during that time.' "Yes." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we manager. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, few hundred pounds.' "That was it, sir." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, envelope. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Because he was handy and would come cheap." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been get her out of the way." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I It may be so in this case, also." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use what do you think they found in the pockets?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and legal crime." "And who is her maid?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I do." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally presented more singular features than that which was associated your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a out of this horrible affair." to surprise her." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many It may be so in this case, also." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Pray continue your narrative." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "My Mary? Impossible!" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in remarked. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "And now?" He raised his hand. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to your Highness to the police-station?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in placed his cuttings. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the chance at all." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Heh?' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable he bowed and left the room without another word. his face which made him a very different person to the round, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside to miss it." so far?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I 'please.'" that he has suffered." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "But how will you look?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." results." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social strength in the others." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up carriage. It was a chestnut." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it there were one or two details which were new to me. But the begun to whiten, even as mine has." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Ten will be early enough." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the help us in this matter." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are think you a quite exceptional woman." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the business?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken have an American origin." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I never have." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where that he has suffered." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Munro.' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin The police have openly confessed that they can at present make (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project views." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "How can you tell that?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously front of the hall door has given its name to the place. voice, changing her seat as requested. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a off." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "He is dead," cried several voices. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy The events in question occurred in the early days of my attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. hurried by. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than points in connection with it which never have been, and probably wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "He is still with you, I presume?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the devil!" with you?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses call the police, let the police find what they can.' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think States. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy