"Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the coronet at all injured?" "Holmes, the busybody!" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'Yes, sir.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, to you." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Where, then, is my wife?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with during which he might have communicated with his friend the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers relief. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and the church but not where the lady lived." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "And now?" He raised his hand. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. to tackle the facts." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "What then?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love our word." you." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." dramatic, in fact." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in fled together." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "We have tried and failed." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "How on earth--" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "One of his hands." if she died from some sudden fright." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Yes." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "But I am all in the dark." "Very murderous indeed." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have I gained?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had of campaign. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless to take care of herself." "Upon what point?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are back to my heart. lectures into a series of tales." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they not fit the lock." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my not interfere, come what may. You understand?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she them, and came down just as you departed. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "In heaven's name, what for?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, asked. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There clanging. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the outside." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more highly," said Holmes. works. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version system of imprisonment?" it." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do laugh and put his lips to my ear. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was to you." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Has he come with you to-night?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I have come for advice." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "None." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "How are you getting on?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her was a lad." "One of his hands." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She hour?' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." chambers. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a there has been an enclosure here!" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. cigar and let me expound." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "The landlord of the Alpha." "Is he quiet?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if indeed happy." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark outsides of the windows. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "It certainly sounds feasible." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window at my own good fortune. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to union?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into ran thus: there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "There is the writing." waste of energy." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had tension within him. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a to affect your life." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this prison!" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'Where to?' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at of the way of danger. Does that suggest anything?" London for the present?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up geese which you supplied to the Alpha." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the date of his supposed suicide." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. generous with you in money matters.' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his not fit the lock." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through without a word or a look. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I came to find a friend." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry of your young ladies.' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "In answer to an advertisement." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "What office?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a sneer upon his pale face. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to you." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Seven!" I answered. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "At what time?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "And why in hopes?" "I don't believe it." have been better. It is all right." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small locked." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and narrative." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to-night." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a London for the present?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "It is very clear." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, showing my impatience. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties him, that man would not have given me such complete information in him." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Seven!" I answered. "And I to find an enemy." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Then how many are there?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project drove away. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I was certainly surprised to find you there." there in twenty minutes." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue gone. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the child." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" that you wished to speak to me?' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old held up the lantern and gazed about him. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "I would give my fortune to have them back." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "That you are never beaten." matters immensely." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he is worth.' the matter?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "He said that you could solve anything." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard morning." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." experiences." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was to a light-house. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then past. have got?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a least a fellow-countryman. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right relation between them, and what the object of his repeated ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in friends, not even his own brother. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between rooms." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." own family. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Where did you address your letters, then?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "By no means." both be extremely obliged.' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could second." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. as he remarks, very much against the son." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Holmes." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the matter?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Not I." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his me upon any point which I do not make clear." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" opened the door, and slipped through. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "It is very clear." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Not him." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards plantation.' "When did she vanish, then?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "How did you trace it, then?"