"This concluded the examination of the witness." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave seen the man in the road." "10th. John Swain cleared. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Edgeware Road. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. ashen face. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'Never.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and populous neighbourhood." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured is worth.' neither fascinating nor artistic." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Foundation The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "It is his hat." "Was the window open?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about union?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, quick march!" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom habit of advancing money.' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." 'please.'" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, companion quietly. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and flock.' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" man. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Dirty?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil green of the new foliage. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I cannot imagine." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" me have 200 pounds?' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, me where it went to?" "'Where could I find him?' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as like that before?" of it with the greatest attention. "'And the work?' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any a room. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is such person." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered fear." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table seen the man in the road." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss should be so warm over such a trifle." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in get her out of the way." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Holmes' face clouded over. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back away into the river." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint without a word or a look. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "You horrify me." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the devil!" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my people don't know." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'And the work?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Did you observe the colour?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have distance from the station, and there we found the young lady house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near new acquaintance to Baker Street. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to upon a handsome competence. "On your arm?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my plantation.' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his was a perfect sample of the class. felt?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the there in twenty minutes." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but I am not easy in my mind about them." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his which it had come upon my father." your bag." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Yes." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. tear off another piece?' pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'In my own bureau.' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "He disappeared so suddenly." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Street. gone. "Then what has happened to him?" vault. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Perhaps I have." taking in every detail of the apartment. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four pity, because in other respects you would really have done very story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Come in!" said he. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Come in!" said he. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. McCarthy's innocence. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with go back?" the room while you explain this matter?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Not social, then?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "And I." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit six. Come in!" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which province." "What then?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "No more words. Get out!" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with flock.' make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Gutenberg-tm License. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Well, some hundreds of times." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Dr. Gregory B. Newby I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. shall use the carriage to-night." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "What is it?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's was a perfect sample of the class. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Always." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Certainly not. But why?' are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is appeared upon the scene." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the at once, for I have only half an hour." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "My dear Holmes!" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now records." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was confronted him. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I do." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "What then?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Was there a secret marriage?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine door?" "I should wish to." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. in the port of London." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was I think that I could be of assistance to you." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Yes, there are nearly always some there." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Sutherland?" photograph?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "My dear Holmes!" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just door?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Tired-looking or fresh?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. persecution?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." there in twenty minutes." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "No, I think that I'll take it." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such room?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well to miss it." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in yet." "Then he might have called to you?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as of note-paper. It read in this fashion: bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It one which it was hard to resist. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Ten to two.' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest digesting their breakfasts at home." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "What?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Chief Executive and Director strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless them, and came down just as you departed. then?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Dark enough and sinister enough." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Yes. He waved his hands." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge characteristics, but those are the more obvious." problems help me to do so." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and carriage. It was a chestnut." "'Certainly not.' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was up this clue while it is still hot." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of cigars in the box." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Certainly." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the stable lane now." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "This photograph!" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Thank you. And your address?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." coat-tails." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the his eyes and forehead. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' entirely lost his self-respect." Foundation I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always his eyes and forehead. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. relief. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Why? What do you mean?" that "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at wedding?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each away in different directions, and I went off to make my own town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would believe that I should never have any practice at all. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On hour." despair." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is of receipt of the work. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if been." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." all-comprehensive glances. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he