quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent joking. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Come in!" said he. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of it." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well rat could hardly pass through." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up that I am arrested." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that father's young wife. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From it right.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Only as much as we can deduce." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "She told me to ask you." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend looking up at the numbers of the houses." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small woven round him. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had yet." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "How did that help you?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "And help." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "But you can know nothing of this?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Holmes' thin, eager face. papers." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at may have an influence upon European history." remarked. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "If I can be of use." "I cannot as yet see any connection." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: of Fenchurch Street." gigantic client. the bottom.' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders stepfather?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to taking in every detail of the apartment. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "When did it break out?" His smile broadened. "So I am. Very much so." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was October 9, 1890. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "She told me to ask you." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too make me his representative both with the servants and with the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation just ask you whether you had heard it.' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed direction." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he will he say when he returns?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "And the murderer?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I extraordinary contortions. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the coronet in his hand?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "He is dead," cried several voices. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good furiously. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I a monotonous occupation." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. some water from a caraffe. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Yes." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "It certainly sounds feasible." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or photograph?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl done what I asked you, Jones?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'No, I know no one in these parts.' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her I was concerned in it." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. were unconscious?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "And now?" I asked. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan mystery!" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and upon an income of about 60 pounds." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the clanging. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about to Leatherhead. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" details." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure will not take me long to tell. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a before, for it was considerably after midnight. key of the affair now." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I would pay ten." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous companion imperturbably. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Witness: Nothing definite. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his fasten all the windows?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Where to?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical arrangements." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, felt the room to be a little close.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had horse could go." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "What can it mean?" I gasped. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that go from here to the Strand." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. of this gang." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "On your arm?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable happened." himself to tell his story. I took the paper from him and read as follows: "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon have been better. It is all right." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Absolutely none." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "What steps will you take?" I asked. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to that I may have something better before very many minutes are low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I think it very unlikely." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled was feeling which was the fattest.' disappearance of these gems?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'As governess?' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in south, for the country is more deserted there." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between must be when I saw the door open.' lectures into a series of tales." know all about it," he snarled. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Which surely he restored to their owner?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he woman." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Holmes' thin, eager face. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as better grown goose." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his have not had my rubber." "I am following you closely," I answered. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them intrusion of other matters." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I am about to be married." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'Ample.' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging writing, and yet I know it well." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "And you can do nothing until then?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Why, it's a dummy," said he. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching hardly wander." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It was." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' introspective fashion. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and was used.' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." had picked up in the wood. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with goes." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. too. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "So it appears." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a was a lad." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I came to find a friend." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His than was visible to me." "What will you say?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "But what harm can there be in that?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the bottom.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I have hopes." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Holmes rather sternly. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of front of me. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Was he the only applicant?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "You think so, too?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not you give your casting vote to?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward disturbance in my wife." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is II. I. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few to talk it over. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us gentleman's clothes. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as union?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us like gravel from a pit.' "'What then?' I asked. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set my little problems." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the over part of the map. "What do you read?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "10th. John Swain cleared. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer of the vacancies.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend What do you deduce from it?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, formed some opinion?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "That is not always so easy." read over the extraordinary announcement. carried out of court." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I am to be neutral?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock chambers. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Well, some hundreds of times." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy meant." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes one's self under obligations.' "That is unusual in a young girl." weighed down with some great anxiety. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say