blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you frequently gained my first real insight into the character of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." within hail.' "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "And why in hopes?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE it." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I showing my impatience. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "It is very kind of you." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, morning." "One of his hands." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "And your mother is alive?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "It missed him, then?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "To an end?" 'please.'" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had strength." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course would apply.' "'And the work?' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, outsides of the windows. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To this unhappy family?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should despair." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection room. introspective fashion. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this next day. questioning and rather startled gaze. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I should wish to." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for affair. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "None." tapping his fingers upon the table. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "And what did you see?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman unkempt, staring out at me. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out your only hope of safety." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in asked. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such his face which made him a very different person to the round, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are gives a meaning to it." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, anything to do with the matter?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I cannot tell." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among fasten all the windows?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I will do it." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know some city in a dream. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving looking up at the numbers of the houses." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At pound a week." other lovers by making love himself." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, eat it." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Street. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had guilty one." know that the truth is known." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Your French gold?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "That is unusual in a young girl." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Certainly." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'I am sure that I do not know.' caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that are, I think, all that we need." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "In the cells." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up thin legs towards the fire. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the south-west, I see." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' she to prove their authenticity?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have carried out of court." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "One of his hands." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I was mad--insane." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Never." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Foundation the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough bedroom door." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. long narrative. "You think that he is dead?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Will you bet, then?" "Texas, I think." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman if she died from some sudden fright." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her article?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Game for a morning drive?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "On your arm?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich generous with you in money matters.' which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very bird of prey. Pope's Court. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Did he not advertise?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "And who is her maid?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "A greater distance to travel." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would handed it to him. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Absolutely?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I several quiet little villages up there." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight chamber." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and all of them with the keenest interest. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry a monotonous occupation." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her outside. said I. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of his knees, staring into the fire. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Then, how do you know?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "You will not go there first?" "What then?" "Which are?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view companion quietly. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been fire. You quite follow me?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys God! What an exposure! What can I do?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and just ask you whether you had heard it.' "What shall I do?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from too. whereabouts. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different writers could invent nothing more crude." "Why serious?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Not him." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever call it cruel." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "How did he come?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, when your master had gone out." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I would give my fortune to have them back." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your intrusion of other matters." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over for securing the situation." "She will not sell." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Not particularly." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Yes, certainly." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking certainly do as you advise." I took the paper from him and read as follows: Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Witness: It was. "The Cedars?" trifles." went to the Alpha were town bred." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in crowd. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is your equipment. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "The murder was done with it." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your introspective fashion. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and drawing your inferences." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Where did you address your letters, then?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the running down." made him keep the appointment." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Miss Holder?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out man. I know him from the photograph." have been better. It is all right." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. comes from the middle window." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Farm upon the left." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "And why?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Eyford." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind in him." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "So I heard. You have him here?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." conceal it?" "But I am all in the dark." "Ah!" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." your bag." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend developed." "The doctor?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Very. But will he see it?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I would pay ten." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I fear." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "ARAT," I read. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Heh?' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone."