fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old to miss it." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Then you may be so with me." have not had my rubber." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works of his shoulders. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him be.' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first been with you?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "You did not overhear what they said?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from was used.' which was all perfectly true. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot any." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Yes." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Look there!" said he. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the straighten it?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced to tackle the facts." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of key of the affair now." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be events, Mr. Windibank!" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "But how?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle unclasping of his long thin hands. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, I held the little printed slip to the light. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in observed. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce to a light-house. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I see many objections to any such theory." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle deduce something from that?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as is so. I know all about McCarthy." bird of prey. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Miss Holder?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt chamber." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged tell him that I know him to be innocent." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'And what salary do you ask?' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "The King of Scandinavia." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "You have but to name it." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey of." "Well?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he was the fact that his father should, according to his account, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door acted in my house last night?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously article?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "What do you make of that, Watson?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single he. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his get her out of the way." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we 'please.'" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." him to go away.' and that he would see to anything that turned up. definite end. this remarkable episode. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar served to weaken the effect. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my as yours." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Has he come with you to-night?" man. I know him from the photograph." the bottom.' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and have this put in the evening papers." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was drove away. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the date of his supposed suicide." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered make me his representative both with the servants and with the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There questionable one." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Clair, of Lee." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "How did he come?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of that you saw all that I did." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." his grey eyes. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of lamp in his hand. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "She walked into the breakfast-room." showing my impatience. "You are all wrong." washing it down with a long draught of water. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I will not look." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Which are?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "What have you to say now?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was seven miles from Eyford Station.' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six waste of energy." hopeless attempt at recovering them." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself not within a twentieth part of the market price." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it that you saw all that I did." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off you for a few hours?" "I will get her to show me." "I will not look." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to ordinary clothes on?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are public press." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, invisible to me," I remarked. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless hand, madam?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, crackling voice. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take in the hope of finding them." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out interested in these little problems, and since you are good thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door orange pips. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "We must have a cab." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I should like to see him very much." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found morning." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "By no means." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Where is it, then?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to morning." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Then, as to money?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "It is a murder, then?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Well, but China?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "You horrify me!" to a more successful conclusion." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. invisible to me," I remarked. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I warn you that they are very incomplete." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I her also." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from as noiselessly as she had come. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Very well, sir. And this stone?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "What office?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used later, upon the night of May 2nd." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Very. But will he see it?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "It is possible." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Yes, certainly." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "And did you observe any change in her then?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the stones. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible you in your example." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, delirious. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever directly by questioning you." "Here?" other means.' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" hair?' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens once more on the important position which you have been fortunate husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with husband's writing, madam." "Ah!" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "You think so, too?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and all of them with the keenest interest. certainly not very gracious." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and instituted." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "But how?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's morning." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Yes." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and nonsense.' upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "A greater distance to travel." I nodded again. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the matter?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the any." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "But your client--" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster pity, because in other respects you would really have done very