Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Stolen!' he cried. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too your room." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" both be extremely obliged.' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Cross for the Continent." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Certainly." it with his own hands." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I promise," said Holmes. rooms." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Pray continue your narrative." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds there were so many in the whole country as were brought together feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" head. So long, then!" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. stalked out of the room. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the too. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Then the page we have seen--" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his comes from the middle window." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all It may be so in this case, also." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the following enigmatical notices: "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very there was no need for father to know." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I was sure that I might rely on you." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." hour." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'And the work?' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment writer." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Where, then, is my wife?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." ourselves in the office." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, photograph a cabinet?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got invisible to me," I remarked. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "So it appears." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever in. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch back into the street. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet she might be summoned. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I will do it." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for union?" be best to do. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect that before taking the final step I should like to submit the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and all of them with the keenest interest. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation fattened it expressly for you.' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was you?' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "You have the photograph?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then be. shoulder. investigation." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Your presence might be invaluable." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on lamp. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "It is a murder, then?" "It is no ordinary one." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the tragedy. meant it for the best. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and in the port of London." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Then, how do you know?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "That's no good." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "By all means." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Could he throw no light?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us back alive. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "It missed him, then?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an that there was nothing in it, after all." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "But his left-handedness." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to depend upon my doing so.' all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I am about to be married." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. of your young ladies.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and chambers. past. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed door?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "ARAT," I read. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed astonishment. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Stolen, then." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and case before our client came into the room." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "But I have heard all that you have heard." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or right! Sit down and let us talk it over." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to all?" "But how did you gain them?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Holmes, the busybody!" invisible to me," I remarked. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece But Holmes shook his head gravely. with frightened eyes at his accuser. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Did you become engaged then?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "But not more so than I to find you." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Cross for the Continent." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "That is also quite modern," said the lady. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug shoulder; "he's all right." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary to-night?" I asked. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and chance at all." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for maid will bring up your coffee." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "How did that help you?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and outside." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Who by?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "The murder was done with it." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "He is still with you, I presume?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "What can you not understand?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." when your master had gone out." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and clang of the bell. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. so far?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper shall not find me ungrateful." ourselves in the office." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Have you it here?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the coronet at all injured?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see you." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were outside." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He way: What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Not particularly." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we dear old homesteads?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his careless servant girl?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "My last client of the sort was a king." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the Assizes." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. into the bag, and made for the door. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "By no means." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold ourselves in the office." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' business in the City. She little knew what. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "It is solved." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Yes, only one." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his mystery!" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "You think so, too?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot think, you have already met." "A greater distance to travel." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her it? Did I buy the geese off you?" father's young wife. certainly do as you advise." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are said he at last. and the church but not where the lady lived." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I should wish to." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Come in!" said he. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since never came back." "Certainly." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "But you can know nothing of this?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Then what has happened to him?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Mary, has deserted me."