could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in them?" enough to aid us in our search." Eyford at 11:15.' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the it with his own hands." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I am in hopes that she does." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know taking in every detail of the apartment. have been better. It is all right." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised second." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Yes, sir.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." in one or two places in England?' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Your French gold?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily had no one to advise her at such a crisis." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" States. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram interest. They are important, you understand, without being opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Frequently." "I cannot tell." some city in a dream. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and infinite languor in his face. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any client, rising. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Seven!" I answered. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the coronet in his hands?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time redistribution. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which papers diligently of late, have you not?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "What I expected to see." families. Now for the facts. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To acted in my house last night?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well have had none more fantastic than this." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the dramatic, in fact." "Yes, at the mines." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I don't say that. Perhaps." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to lost nothing by them." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Only as much as we can deduce." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring whole matter to your consideration." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Heh?' "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project have had none more fantastic than this." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Witness: It was. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal light and attacked it." breakfast." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me colonel looking down at me. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Was she in good spirits?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the meant." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "So I heard. You have him here?" "And why?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "You know me, then?" meant it for the best. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the coronet in his hands?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes, but only for you and me." was it brought him the coronet? would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the coronet at all injured?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing in one or two places in England?' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and direction." "Won't it ring?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to matter." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up in this note: nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, to change my dress. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." past. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Holmes." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' that "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" she might be summoned. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. manager. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. her also." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. go--none." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I door?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I assure you that I am in your hands." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Sutherland?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite sit on the left-hand side of the driver." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "A client, then?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in not fit the lock." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I promise," said Holmes. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning place of silver." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp at my own good fortune. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and a shock of very red hair. plantation.' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her him. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." it with his own hands." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how him to be an active member of the medical profession." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little than to us. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He burst into a hearty fit of laughter. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean at my own good fortune. said Mr. Holder. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other skylight. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes do.' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. make me his representative both with the servants and with the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that go from here to the Strand." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. note?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Pope's Court. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Yes, the wine-cellar." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of shoulder; "he's all right." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very is a common subject for conversation. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else other means.' with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." strength." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The business?" "No, my brougham is waiting." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' danger is over." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the iron safe, which he closed upon it. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he back alive. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and taking in every detail of the apartment. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but awaited us upon the table. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't conversation I have gathered that they have been married about firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to laugh and put his lips to my ear. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. him to go away.' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. everything which you would wish to know." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Nothing." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "May I see it?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was during which he might have communicated with his friend the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can name is different." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "What do you make of that, Watson?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting dead, shall be safe with us." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." this Miss Turner." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" like gravel from a pit.' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular information in his hands the value of which he did not himself excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled bears upon the case?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I say that I have solved it." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything bill, which interests me deeply." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his his wife has ceased to love him." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and lost his Christmas dinner." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and that I am arrested." is acting for the best. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock conclusions. "To the police?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with own family. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not within hail.' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of goes." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past made him keep the appointment." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in which was all perfectly true. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable colonel looking down at me. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the interest. They are important, you understand, without being about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a fishes.