a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the from the brougham. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "And sit in the dark?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "My opinion is in no way altered." way in." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Leadenhall Street--and--" official police." "I have a cab outside." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "You did not overhear what they said?" answer." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Here?" "Always." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Then you may be so with me." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had relief. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." leaning back in his chair. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Dr. Becher's." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "The Coroner: What do you mean? Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance said he at last. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One what these perils are?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of anything to do with the matter?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Which are?" and your relations to her." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with up this clue while it is still hot." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side correct than the official force." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "It missed him, then?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "The doctor?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action enter into my head. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "It missed him, then?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to it." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "This photograph!" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as presented which may be striking and bizarre without being and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would himself in a perplexing position. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But trifles." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man useful material for showing traces. The double line a little 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Bought." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly business." "How are you getting on?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the burst out into a roar of laughter. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, individual and becomes the badge of a society." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. enter Dr. Roylott's room." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Yes." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a other means.' "But you would not advise me to refuse?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his extraordinary contortions. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the nursery. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "What can you not understand?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from photograph?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "But what harm can there be in that?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." you for a few hours?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work depend upon your compliance." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "One horse?" interjected Holmes. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder photograph a cabinet?" stepfather?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Really! You surprise me." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you any." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "And how have you succeeded?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "And Miss Sutherland?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the second." "I was mad--insane." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair writer." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet could gather together that I was able to avert another public The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and yourselves in at night?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot call it cruel." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove whatever might befall. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "And when will you call?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I should wish to." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "And why?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort you in yours." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Get out!" said he. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and I shall be with you presently." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "What have you done?" asked Holmes. meant." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve have one." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "In answer to an advertisement." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "What, then?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'I am sure if I had known--' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'I am sure if I had known--' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but attention." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "You have compromised yourself seriously." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard room had already been engaged for us. The events in question occurred in the early days of my was the fact that his father should, according to his account, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and it need not interfere very much with one's other solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'Quite sure, dad.' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and it need not interfere very much with one's other "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "No, but the enclosure is." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Oh, yes, easily." face and glided from the room. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "The decline of his fortunes, then?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility direction." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he vanished into the darkness. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." out." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Why did you pick him?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "How many? I don't know." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Does that suggest anything?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this father's place of business?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "It's nothing of the kind." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them triumphant cloud from his cigarette. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I shall most certainly do so." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it in his power. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Game for a morning drive?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, was already answered. records." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible triumphant cloud from his cigarette. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed was feeling which was the fattest.' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "It goes to the housekeeper's room." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'And what salary do you ask?' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "You don't mind breaking the law?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, chemical work which was so dear to him. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "That is also quite modern," said the lady. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate within hail.' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "It is true that I have been generally successful." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Breckinridge is his name." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! not come at once?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover cigar and let me expound." about here speaks of his kindness to him." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to should be so warm over such a trifle." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "A client, then?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Holmes rather sternly. the dangers which encompass me." "And I." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards learned something! Where are the gems?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that before, for it was considerably after midnight. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Yes." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings on re-entering her father's house?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'What then?' I asked. was lame." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you was keenly on my guard against him. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Not yet." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the