the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little where Mr. Fordham shows you.' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. views." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'Tell me all about it,' said I. one else, I think." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, society." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, article?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should know what is wrong with it.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this cigars in the box." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Perhaps I have." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began what these perils are?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" room had already been engaged for us. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to mysterious business." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an residence of the great financier. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof pound a week." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four The summons was a brief and urgent one. "That sounds a little paradoxical." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Sutherland. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of desk. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Cross for the Continent." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "You are all wrong." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he upon a handsome competence. shoulder; "he's all right." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece your room." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting American. Then who could this American be, and why should he a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I was sure that I might rely on you." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time present." Gutenberg-tm License. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not during that time.' the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the bottom.' with the outside air!" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "You have the photograph?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I have my revolver," said I. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. when your master had gone out." during that time.' "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Yes, but only for you and me." handed it to him. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He one or two very singular points about this room. For example, looking up at the numbers of the houses." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Yes, they were peculiar boots." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org were unconscious?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." delirious. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had useful material for showing traces. The double line a little all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "And when will you call?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." about here speaks of his kindness to him." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we nonsense.' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few subject to the trademark license, especially commercial forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no said Mr. Holder. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "What have you to say now?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "My dear Holmes!" had formerly been in part my own. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this quickly through a disagreeable task. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "In the cells." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has as the one I chose?' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Sutherland. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Very. But will he see it?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of coroner's jury." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring miles off. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the Red-headed League." indiscretion." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I window when the police appeared." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he brought there to personate someone, and the real person is she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Certainly not.' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "And your father? Did you tell him?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while brought there to personate someone, and the real person is animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to you." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "When did it break out?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the never will be, entirely cleared up. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in vague figure huddled up in the darkness. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on think you a quite exceptional woman." think that he is innocent?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to little adventures." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, lamp in his hand. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I guessed as much." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "How often?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I say that I have solved it." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Does that suggest anything?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are I leave." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "But you were on a friendly footing?" for the market.' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the door?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little purpose equally well?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. that there was nothing in it, after all." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the little opening for the ventilator is." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Then, as to money?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and disturbance in my wife." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Seven!" I answered. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Yes, he did." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Very much so." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the just called myself is not exactly my own." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'Certainly,' I answered. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was have one." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes do.' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "My private note-paper." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and unprofitable." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'Yes, I promise.' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it point our research must commence, and we will begin it by name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the Assizes." "But you were on a friendly footing?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "No, I am descending." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." gigantic client. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' business in the City. She little knew what. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or carriage. It was a chestnut." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low she has been waylaid. There has been no result." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most take the flies, but not before." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." in one or two places in England?' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side not fit the lock." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "But not more so than I to find you." returning from some small jollification and was making his way to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg I have it here in my museum." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to It may be so in this case, also." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy bachelor.' manager. Does that suggest anything?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises questionable one." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the side-table." closely." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the dangers which encompass me." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. chance." "What will you say?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of outbreak?" not fit the lock." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "What shall I do?" take the flies, but not before." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, seven miles from Eyford Station.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient heavy and sharp instrument." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very are, and they are waiting for us." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" from the brougham. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and good-night and bustled off upon her way. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already not personally threatened." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." of this gang." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "At what time?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." plantation.' absorbing." "What?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried