As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and your relations to her." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become had formerly been in part my own. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "The murder was done with it." "But who is he?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Was he the only applicant?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting minor matters until to-morrow." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Did you become engaged then?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. speckled band?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Tired-looking or fresh?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I have established a very serious case against the son of the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Where did he live, then?" such person." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His you in your example." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the house for five minutes.' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as ready to-morrow?' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other you." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "My dear Holmes!" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Of what?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in tapping his fingers upon the table. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both said I. heavily into it. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning me what he had done with the three missing stones. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am British peeress.'" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Bought." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and His smile broadened. generous with you in money matters.' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As and glanced through. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide returning from some small jollification and was making his way brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Do you know him?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Yes." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "It came here." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Ah!" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and entirely lost his self-respect." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by she might be summoned. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the infinite languor in his face. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, colonel looking down at me. have been better. It is all right." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "So it appears." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted indiscretion." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is I nodded again. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or lamp. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Yes." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may British peeress.'" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to you." compunction about shooting them down." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." forebodings. prisoner's face. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "It was." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding I approached. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went morning." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "That is easily got." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "That you are never beaten." about here speaks of his kindness to him." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an shall not find me ungrateful." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A troubles have been weighing upon his mind. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he drawing your inferences." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Only as much as we can deduce." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "The doctor?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I was certainly surprised to find you there." most interesting one." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found take the flies, but not before." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, could gather together that I was able to avert another public well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Not social, then?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up posted to-day." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for detained." cigars in the box." Street. affection." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but other means.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday colonel looking down at me. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Well, but China?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive upon a handsome competence. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first bird of prey. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his papers." "She will not sell." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I see no marks." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "That was it, sir." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was newspaper selections." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Pope's Court. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and wait." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are quite distinctive." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge an introduction to him?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the eavesdroppers?' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the tragedy. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "An accident, I presume?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with head. So long, then!" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'Most admirably.' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Yes, the wine-cellar." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case laugh and put his lips to my ear. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "You think so, too?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, he died? that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "And what then?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "This photograph!" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, photograph?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I shall continue with my miserable story. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project at home. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Yes." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It strong and stiff." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several becomes even more simple." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have tapping his fingers upon the table. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "What do you mean?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Pope's Court. sufficient punishment." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'In my own bureau.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "What will you say?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Yes, from Horsham." "My dear Holmes!" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "No." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of campaign. Stoke Moran." nothing with him." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and inquire as to the address." digesting their breakfasts at home." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily any more." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project occupations.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "That sounds a little paradoxical." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he outbreak?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm where we are going." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the himself to tell his story. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a hour." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what do.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary call the police, let the police find what they can.' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into you in yours." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, little trying to do so much typewriting?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but all-comprehensive glances. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "What of the rat, then?" be.' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Certainly." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation second window is the one that I jumped from." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Proceed, then." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole yourselves in at night?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" to-night?' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no said he at last. "'And the work?' DISSOLVED. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. crime. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and anything to do with the matter?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the coronet at all injured?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The on re-entering her father's house?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are been deceived." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Did you become engaged then?" article?" "What office?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the forebodings. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous.