doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "My opinion is in no way altered." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend works. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Stoke Moran?" said he. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not married her." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB unprecedented a position." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began where she found matters as described by the last witness. "One?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "But the mystery?" "'Where to?' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "'Yes, I promise.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. was keenly on my guard against him. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second absorbing." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and only touch the interest." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I cannot say that I have." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more even of instruction." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "And what then?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for was lame." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little confronted him. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I say it is." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before through." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled nothing with him." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "And how did you find out?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "And how did you verify them?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were this as likely?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, any." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project throat." photograph?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the public press." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our horse could go." appeal." "And sit in the dark?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as voice, changing her seat as requested. "And what did you see?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Absolutely none." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet long narrative. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of name is different." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "No, I had a dozen." were wasted." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "No, finished." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Did your wife hear all this?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if The summons was a brief and urgent one. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his persecution?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she III. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against fear." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the is worth.' gone. It may be so in this case, also." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It strength of mind to control. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead infinite languor in his face. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father respectable self." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his he. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough gentleman's clothes. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "And Miss Sutherland?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." bearing upon the case." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any his knees, staring into the fire. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main once more for Briony Lodge. to his chemical studies. unprofitable." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and o'clock is it?" noble correspondent could be. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "None." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw closing the door. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the matter." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, cigars in their mouths. "An enemy?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which ourselves in the office." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding know that the truth is known." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel believe that I should never have any practice at all. that threaten you." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. ceremony." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Have you it here?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' spare." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "You saw the ventilator, too?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and horse could go." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. you." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I province." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my really the only notable feature about the thing." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations cup of tea. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the enter Dr. Roylott's room." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied was already answered. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been to affect your life." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the he died? a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "And now?" I asked. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You crime." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "And what did you learn from him?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no My friend smiled. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, pound a week." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the general public were present, then?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my hands. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the gone. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the existence." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house indiscretion." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." go from here to the Strand." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Nearly eleven." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most with you?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "You think that he is dead?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. figure." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no shall use the carriage to-night." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, could go. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to them, and came down just as you departed. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge meant it for the best. time." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Yes, sir.' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Just look it up, then." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that light and attacked it." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have you." taking in every detail of the apartment. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you vanished into the darkness. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Look there!" said he. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of closely." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'In my own bureau.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning asked with his eyes open. "To an English lawyer named Norton." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to I am not easy in my mind about them." and glanced through. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I am armed." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see morning." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "No. His orders were to stay in the house." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard back into the street. "Why, what do you mean?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with chemical work which was so dear to him. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One know what is wrong with it.' awaited us upon the table. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her think, you have already met." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Watson," he said cordially. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Do you know him?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Watson," he said cordially. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to was shining brightly. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our absorbing." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened flock.' "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the side-table." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I beg pardon." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I see many objections to any such theory." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in his fortune, and I went back to pa. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet served to weaken the effect. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Where is it, then?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the