"Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." I approached. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Yes." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence eat it." "He might." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Nothing?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'I have heard so.' "Where, then?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower you give your casting vote to?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "The Cedars?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. within hail.' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Could he throw no light?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes said I. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the south-west, I see." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't here." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and not, dad?" she asked. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "That also I could fathom." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other drawing your inferences." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "May I see it?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that to miss it." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, out." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took fuss that is made over them." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "But the mystery?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a stammered. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin drawing your inferences." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless him nearly every evening." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. away into the river." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "And it is--" fatally injured? The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the society." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." system of imprisonment?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the that threaten you." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Sholtos." "Yes, that is the Crown." "Really! You surprise me." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I am sure." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I will get her to show me." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Witness: It was. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." meanly of me." furiously. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "My dear Holmes!" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two something of him before." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was manager. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered redistribution. forecastle of an emigrant ship. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "You have compromised yourself seriously." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of other lovers by making love himself." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended enter Dr. Roylott's room." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "It looks newer than the other things?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We will not take me long to tell. nights." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any opened a pocket-book and took out a note. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Murdered?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Oh, yes, easily." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Absolutely?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I answered that I had not. your only hope of safety." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his could not account in any way for the presence of the missing prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "How did he come?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "And is that all?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Yes." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' to-night?" I asked. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten look upon these things in a different way." "'Why that?' I asks. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he himself in a perplexing position. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some of note-paper. It read in this fashion: I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the said I. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, careless servant girl?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. have I gained?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "My Mary? Impossible!" main points of my analysis." "And what then?" "Ten will be early enough." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'Ample.' business came to an end." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "What! You do not mean bodies?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a and the church but not where the lady lived." of the way of danger. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, figure." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "So it appears." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the coronet in his hand?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "About a month then." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked have not had my rubber." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "But it has twice been burgled." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Can I be of assistance?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Project Gutenberg-tm works. seen the man in the road." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this never came back." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I cannot tell." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to-night?' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of footfalls from the street. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about take the flies, but not before." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Entirely." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the you in yours." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we have I gained?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "He disappeared so suddenly." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my sparkled upon his finger. point in the dark hollow of his hand. had a long day." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was have got?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." opportunities to fix the problem. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "But to whom?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," unclasping of his long thin hands. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I cannot imagine." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "What will you say?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I cannot tell." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat papers." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your retorted upon me, and I on you." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. chill to my heart. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my people in all walks of life. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "But how did you gain them?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Very. But will he see it?" carried out of court." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's very morning of my second wedding." of it with the greatest attention. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such call for it in person on Monday morning.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the think you a quite exceptional woman." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious are windows in it, of course?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Pray do so." acquaintance?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the south-west, I see." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "A client, then?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my there." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Your presence might be invaluable." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Surrey." "A greater distance to travel." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a with the outside air!" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Yes, it was twisted." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull disturbance in my wife." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your there!' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "That is possible." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy of Fenchurch Street." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both voice. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'About the same.' Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it be. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing them, and came down just as you departed.