Serpentine Avenue. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Yes, from Horsham." about. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "You think so, too?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Come in!" said he. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he with some details as to your case." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George foot. assist you in forming an opinion." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "And I say east," said my patient. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and capable of preserving a secret.' "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, which it had come upon my father." "Yes." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" himself to tell his story. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded brain must have something in it." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you there." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing undoubtedly my uncle's." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a quickly through a disagreeable task. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." bachelor.' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Whose house is it?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were memory. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Mary, has deserted me." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "No, thank goodness, she did not." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of Mr. Rucastle's." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of charged with?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Breckinridge is his name." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the dangers which encompass me." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good you give your casting vote to?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, everything which you would wish to know." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "None." girl said." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had bird I ate is country bred." enter into my head. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon putting in the horse. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it chamber." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect death." "Very. But will he see it?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have we went to search for him, face downward in a little forebodings. Project Gutenberg-tm works. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to populous neighbourhood." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you overpowering excitement and concern. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "In answer to an advertisement." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and have had none more fantastic than this." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the very old mansion. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see your Highness to the police-station?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I shall most certainly do so." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as to where he stood hid behind the curtain. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I four million human beings all jostling each other within the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, these bleak autumnal evenings." companion. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if written, and locked the door of the office after me. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." clang of the bell. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Then I am your man." signal between you and your father? (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one newspaper selections." one which it was hard to resist. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "A client, then?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has questioning and rather startled gaze. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate sneer upon his pale face. "It was an hour's good drive." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it American. Then who could this American be, and why should he main points of my analysis." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the quickly through a disagreeable task. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the devil!" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "And help." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, is worth.' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "It's nothing of the kind." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been became a certainty. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'How far from the body?' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the quickly through a disagreeable task. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by gone. "Witness: I must still refuse. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." me where it went to?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There man. I know him from the photograph." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "You think so, too?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the who was a member of your goose club." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "My last client of the sort was a king." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "About a month then." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty generous with you in money matters.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Holmes, the busybody!" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. letters?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Pope's Court. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet occupations.' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in conclusions. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'Very good.' if only as a check to my own memory." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my crime. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous is a common subject for conversation. this as likely?" The King stared at him in amazement. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing desk. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of ashen face. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "So it appears." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "From his hat?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned death." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow woman." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is annoyance, but no jest. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "He is still with you, I presume?" to take care of herself." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "This concluded the examination of the witness." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a a suggestive one." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "It is very kind of you." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I woman." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he with frightened eyes at his accuser. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, affair. any little problem which you may submit to me." "ARAT," I read. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" an introduction to him?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead It may be so in this case, also." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he useful material for showing traces. The double line a little But Holmes shook his head gravely. writer." four million human beings all jostling each other within the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much tear off another piece?' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had again before evening." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Not I." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, of them has the shutters up.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "And the cigar-holder?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I was afraid that you were engaged." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A call for protection in the marriage market, for the present jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "His face fell immediately. thought that she would have been so carried away." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid to some other building. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' you in your example." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the bed, and you in that chair." "Not in the least." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and tied." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily call you and give you the chance." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the upon a handsome competence. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Where to?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and morning." "Whose house is it?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him visitors." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Then I do not see the point." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Doctor, of the paper and the date." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the few hundred pounds.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting present." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you door?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a