"Yes." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the armchair which I pushed forward for him. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being chambers. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa it with his own hands." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had here and I will read it to you: was a loud and authoritative tap. stammered. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he exactly what you advise." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Yes." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." voice. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "No more words. Get out!" very old mansion. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "That sounds a little paradoxical." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. you?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What happened." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the business in the City. She little knew what. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from will find little credit to be gained out of this case." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much new duties?' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Oh, fresh and glossy." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "9th. McCauley cleared. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin point in the dark hollow of his hand. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. investigation." over with notes and figures. must compliment you." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich and shall probably return to London by the evening train." secret." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'How far from the body?' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder your billet.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue to tell." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I problems help me to do so." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it it." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the stones. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'About the same.' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I humiliation." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened straighten it?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Whose house is it?" "Very. But will he see it?" words came to my lips. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "The vanishing of the lady." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Then I can wait in the next room." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Yes, sir.' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "In what way?" asked Holmes. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Breckinridge is his name." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and glanced through. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but I leave." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" money should be paid at once.' others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay better in every way that they should make their position a little habit of advancing money.' window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the populous neighbourhood." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "And you don't know his address?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I don't say that. Perhaps." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep questionable one." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "You have the photograph?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Never." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was outside. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed written. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A conclusions. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "The murder was done with it." society." tear off another piece?' which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more any." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "It is a murder, then?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have minor matters until to-morrow." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what details should find their way into the papers. Inspector serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "That also I could fathom." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in back to my heart. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring hour?' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent with the outside air!" you in your example." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, to-morrow." second." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." very morning of my second wedding." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an was lame." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." salesman. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was an introduction to him?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That what is your own theory as to what took place?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" you for a few hours?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you not within a twentieth part of the market price." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very mystery!" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I shall most certainly do so." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Stolen, then." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open off." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the guilty one." carpenter." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his not as remarkable as your advertisement." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "But to whom?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "But his lameness?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "He might." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' appeal." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Surrey." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of redistribution. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. I nodded to show that I had heard. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, sufficient punishment." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "You have it, sir, just as it happened." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and the whole place is in a blaze." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "You are all wrong." "Well, but China?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the Friday. Was it to be in church?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we danger is over." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'Yes.' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Yes, he did." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "In answer to an advertisement." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "And for present expenses?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'In my own bureau.' "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into his face. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and with you alone." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee there." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Stolen!' he cried. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Did you observe the colour?" indeed which he could not unravel. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course to-night?" I asked. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman have I gained?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "VIOLET HUNTER." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of this gang." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "But his left-handedness." "What I expected to see." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Stolen." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "How on earth--"