"Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Eyford at 11:15.' and a shock of very red hair. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his attention." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's highly," said Holmes. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'Yes, sir.' in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" arrangements." you do it in twenty minutes!' business matters.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "How do you know, then?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "But how did you gain them?" most interesting one." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same a room. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Pray do so." hour?' might have a private word with us. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "You know me, then?" taking in every detail of the apartment. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "It was an hour's good drive." off." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler voice. hour." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Yes." Arthur Conan Doyle pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I never have." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by question," said Holmes, smiling. just ask you whether you had heard it.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss with you?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I just called myself is not exactly my own." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the coronet at all injured?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "By all means." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Entirely." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout business came to an end." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. emerged. "Were they all fastened this morning?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, suspect him." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an prepare for the new role I have to play." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. tear off another piece?' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" knowledge of the world." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! orange pips. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these me upon any point which I do not make clear." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so new duties?' were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "A client, then?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is key of the affair now." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very and the church but not where the lady lived." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." you understand?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the ceiling. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Where to?" "I will get her to show me." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I shall most certainly do so." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to respectable self." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On keep the flames under. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the humiliation." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his from you?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'Ample.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the stable lane now." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his so.' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Yes." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He means taking possession of that which another person has a prior purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Well, some hundreds of times." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "When did she vanish, then?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do hands. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather said I. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had most interesting one." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Nothing." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the said he. ran thus: "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the copied or distributed: "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "A thing like a cleaver," said he. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a legal crime." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my been lifted and conveyed somewhere." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been exactly what you advise." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement grasp, he hurried from the room. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "The King of Scandinavia." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless direction." has little to do with my story." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something beg that you will break it off." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small quick march!" room?" "Absolutely?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you astonishment. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "And who is her maid?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Serpentine Avenue. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be upon the shelf for the interim." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what open." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I beg pardon." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think cigar and let me expound." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Have you her photograph?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the roots. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Was there a secret marriage?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy leave you to your papers for a little." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, over with notes and figures. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad points to suicide?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and true." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Leadenhall Street--and--" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "He said too much." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Have you her photograph?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It From what you have told me I think that it is possible that problems help me to do so." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable not come at once?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a works. See paragraph 1.E below. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "So it appears." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Yes." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his clang of the bell. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the coronet in his hand?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed danger is over." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or weary and pale-looking. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the coronet in his hand?" lumber-room." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has character. danger is over." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" to tell." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. everything which you would wish to know." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he already been minutely examined." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about fled together." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "One of his hands." Watson," he said cordially. Sutherland?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in client, rising. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Proceed, then." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "And the murderer?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "'You cannot say what it was?' minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I should wish to." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. than was visible to me." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. writers could invent nothing more crude." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "They are typewritten," I remarked. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen she used." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a advice." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers room had already been engaged for us. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't of the efforts of the United States government and of the better http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached business matters.'