to-night." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "It is very clear." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his politicians who had been sent down from the North. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office in the dead of the night?' "Did you observe the colour?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and effective." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'I shall certainly be there.' "One?" them present such singular features as the strange train of all?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best about. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "How many? I don't know." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I second window is the one that I jumped from." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'I am sure if I had known--' pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and question," said Holmes, smiling. friend's singular character. that he will be back before evening." "By no means." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect with the outside air!" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little lamp in his hand. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, and put his glass in his pocket. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Very murderous indeed." bedroom door." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "This photograph!" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "By no means." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "They are typewritten," I remarked. "The Coroner: What do you mean? blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch introspective fashion. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Nothing." have not had my rubber." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "And why?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "And I." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'Ample.' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "And why in hopes?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself my friend's incisive reasoning. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I say that I have solved it." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang case-book, which he consulted. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Count Von Kramm." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Then I am your man." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I fear not." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, too. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled think, you have already met." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open arrested. You then--" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Have you her photograph?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Yes." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification all that?" "When did it break out?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "To ruin me." "To an end?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower III. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his your troubles." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'Where to?' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Yes, from Horsham." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the driver. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Stoke Moran." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I would pay ten." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over as this. Pray let me have the details." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "None." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through cheerful." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "It came here." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I said I. "Absolutely none." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to conduct the inquiry." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "By all means." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I see no marks." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can said he. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the one as in the other." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I cannot tell." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to crackling voice. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Farm upon the left." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass depend upon my doing so.' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of in his hands." business at Coburg Square is serious." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "But who is he?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "And why?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Breckinridge is his name." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two as the one I chose?' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." call for it in person on Monday morning.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to his chemical studies. "Never." "To an end?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' comes from the middle window." "I would pay ten." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Of Friday, June 19th." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. spare." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one fat-encircled eyes. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I say it is." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "And the cigar-holder?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside you, my dear young lady?' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Come in!" said Holmes. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'How far from the body?' slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in should be taken.' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." stammered. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little opened a pocket-book and took out a note. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her John Swain, of St. Augustine. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector read over the extraordinary announcement. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "And why?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and even of instruction." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. that I am arrested." Stoke Moran." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I guessed as much." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "You have carte blanche." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "How on earth--" 11:15.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Oh, no.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign some city in a dream. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and flock.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "No." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." here and I will read it to you: all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the bed, and you in that chair." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the bed, and you in that chair." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal The summons was a brief and urgent one. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him once more on the important position which you have been fortunate secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "It is possible." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "My stepfather's business papers." front of me. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this be sorry for having acted so harshly." the bed, and you in that chair." forehead. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the stalked out of the room. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "It is possible." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the you in yours." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I came to find a friend." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Whose house is it?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous