Loading chat...

sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate compunction about shooting them down." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you nonsense.' Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my business at Coburg Square is serious." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Could he throw no light?" tension within him. "Thank you. And your address?" nonsense.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Tired-looking or fresh?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return of your young ladies.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you showing my impatience. "And that is--" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of bare slabs of marble. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high very old mansion. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE it." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'Oh, no.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "The vanishing of the lady." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a orange pips. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Why, what do you mean?" "The vanishing of the lady." Eyford at 11:15.' very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of It may be so in this case, also." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, closing the door. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I should wish to." "So it appears." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I other means.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had fear." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one in my life." "Your presence might be invaluable." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, seven miles from Eyford Station.' "It is possible." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated one or two very singular points about this room. For example, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Which dealer's?' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be papers must be those that are destroyed.' be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in where we are going." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. unclasping of his long thin hands. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes." at my remark. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Well, but China?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, cheerful." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was been able to understand it, in a very few words. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I ordinary clothes on?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a and laid it on the table. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Yes, sir." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I think it very unlikely." "Dr. Becher's." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" fled together." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Where did he live, then?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of bachelor.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Miss Holder?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "What will you do, then?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. dates and names. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the station." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, question," said Holmes, smiling. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and all of them with the keenest interest. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in works. See paragraph 1.E below. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'Is purely nominal.' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." constraint." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "It's nothing of the kind." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent things are very often connected not with the larger but with the gigantic client. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I see no marks." were new raised from a basin. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'Never.' the warnings." kind enough to tell me what I should do." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my observed. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I cannot think." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Did you become engaged then?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we works. See paragraph 1.E below. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a wife's character?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and my special province." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "The rest you will leave in our hands." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the made him keep the appointment." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing gigantic client. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Why, it's a dummy," said he. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the very morning of the wedding." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And I leave." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." straightened it out again. there in twenty minutes." "The vanishing of the lady." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. deduce something from that?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business business at Coburg Square is serious." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of this gang." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the nursery. "Well, it is a possible supposition." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you affection." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "No. His orders were to stay in the house." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. whole matter to your consideration." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Have you it here?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "My opinion is in no way altered." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "It certainly sounds feasible." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "That is unusual in a young girl." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking so far?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door unprecedented a position." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Eyford." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in as he remarks, very much against the son." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, are, and they are waiting for us." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the inquest, and which are worth considering." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with other means.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in in the port of London." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "A confidential servant?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to learned something! Where are the gems?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Because he was handy and would come cheap." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "My last client of the sort was a king." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that this unhappy family?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "By all means." "But I have heard all that you have heard." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who so.' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done and prosperity to your house. Good-night." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "That's no good." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he help us in this matter." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "10th. John Swain cleared. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my comes from the middle window." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Yes, only one." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "When did it break out?" asked with his eyes open. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I entirely lost his self-respect." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, friends, not even his own brother. you." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. remarked. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "To ruin me." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait better grown goose." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. photograph?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon disappearance of these gems?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His means taking possession of that which another person has a prior he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, questionable one." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I not use it unless it is absolutely needed." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform License. You must require such a user to return or sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying province." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Yesterday." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "In heaven's name, what for?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Here?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of hair?' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the been with you?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'How far from the body?' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project I was concerned in it." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your very peculiar words of the dying woman?" depend upon your compliance." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted new duties?' chill to my heart. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Nothing?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. here." round and wave him away like that.' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one leaning back in his chair. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the driver. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all unprecedented a position." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "From his hat?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I guessed as much." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your frequently gained my first real insight into the character of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I once more to my work. out of this horrible affair."