"'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope McCarthy's innocence. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to surprise her." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about mystery." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So coat-tails." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." becomes even more simple." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, have I gained?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "How many? I don't know." overpowering excitement and concern. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he forbidden door. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Oh, fresh and glossy." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a been shamefully used." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what footfalls from the street. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "By all means." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you time." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the records." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal events than those which have happened in my own family." keep the flames under. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, for and were ordered to this address. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "It must be recovered." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to our word." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "And I." cheerful." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'Oh, no.' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to girl said." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery lamp. the so-precious time, but come!' Street. "Yes, he did." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am fled together." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in golden eyeglasses. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money subject to the trademark license, especially commercial should be so warm over such a trifle." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But your co-operation." "And how did he make his money?" least a most suspicious remark." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step formed some opinion?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me room?" McCarthy's innocence. "And now?" I asked. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, my former friend and companion. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." legal crime." "Entirely." "Yes, from Horsham." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "My dear Holmes!" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in been shamefully used." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of I approached. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a he. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Nothing?" "I promise," said Holmes. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but weary and pale-looking. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that populous neighbourhood." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the matter." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "One of the highest in England." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the do.' village inn over there?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Holmes' thin, eager face. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "How many? I don't know." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The feature." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, shoulder; "he's all right." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached noting anything else of interest. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling fishes. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and effective." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' that he has suffered." "'You cannot say what it was?' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and standing smiling on the door-step. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the Red-headed League." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four possible that we could bring him back to her? 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of more solid." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it business?" "A client, then?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the appeared upon the scene." wife's character?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in upon the shelf for the interim." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Holmes, the busybody!" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very my friend's incisive reasoning. really the only notable feature about the thing." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for God! What an exposure! What can I do?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "And how did you find out?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and six. Come in!" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and nice household for a young lady." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Which dealer's?' natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the coronet in his hand?" again." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I assure you that I am in your hands." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But compunction about shooting them down." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and during which he might have communicated with his friend the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "No?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The wife's character?" good for you to do.' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office outbreak?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this were new raised from a basin. allusion to a rat. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank despaired of." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' neither fascinating nor artistic." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." within hail.' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE off." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, do.' instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "None." man. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "You have compromised yourself seriously." interests were the same as his." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that carried out of court." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, morning." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. front of me. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "What I expected to see." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can trying to your nerves." chance at all." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "At half-wages, in fact." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate on in his house." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Proceed, then." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you handed it to him. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Pope's Court. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Nearly eleven." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, upon an income of about 60 pounds." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry that hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Henry Baker is a member." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Why serious?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed all that?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly away in different directions, and I went off to make my own favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "And Irene Adler?" she to prove their authenticity?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "It must be recovered." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for over with notes and figures. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark important." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One lips." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "One of his hands." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "It goes to the housekeeper's room." lips." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I here and I will read it to you: felt the room to be a little close.' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes nice household for a young lady." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Serpentine Avenue. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not discontent upon his features. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be attention." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'Which dealer's?' town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the before the coroner and the police-court." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat roused himself from his reverie. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Why that?' I asks. "And I." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "It was." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his seem to you to be relevant or not." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the house with me." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in charged with?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great ways of our fellow-men." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, despaired of." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent