the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" details." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon is four-and-twenty." shaken than I had ever seen him. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for trying to your nerves." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look ashen face. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person over here." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being have not had my rubber." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of once more to my work. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Have you her photograph?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did cost them two and thirty pounds." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, whether it answered to the description of any of their fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from money should be paid at once.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." reach." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "In heaven's name, what for?" Henry Baker is a member." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to-night?" I asked. you for a few hours?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the an introduction to him?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he province." closely." towards the blaze. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face next day. despair." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather in him." before, for it was considerably after midnight. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are advice." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a guilty one." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into better in every way that they should make their position a little very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Where, indeed?" directly by questioning you." "What do you mean?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed What do you deduce from it?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that foot. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the salesman. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "No?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of to tackle the facts." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "What!" he roared. It may be so in this case, also." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful information in his hands the value of which he did not himself to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do written, and locked the door of the office after me. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "But she could not love him." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "You have but to name it." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light directly by questioning you." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." remarked. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman chemical work which was so dear to him. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not gone before you can get him to hospital." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham for the market.' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and laid it on the table. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" generous with you in money matters.' before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the nursery. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may for the market.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I have hopes." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." several quiet little villages up there." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "And who is her maid?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. handed it to him. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread call the police, let the police find what they can.' be.' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense four million human beings all jostling each other within the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Why? What do you mean?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, a room. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Certainly." enter Dr. Roylott's room." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the present." mystery!" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "You have it, sir, just as it happened." footfalls from the street. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do man. me." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well depend upon my doing so.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers fasten all the windows?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "None." him. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak been able to understand it, in a very few words. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would into her hand at the door and which lured her within their between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "And how did you find out?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "And your mother is alive?" straightened it out again. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "What of the rat, then?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "My private note-paper." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course place no limit on the sum I may draw." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the on in his house." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "There is the writing." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Ample.' adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the date of his supposed suicide." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my anything to do with the matter?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Then, how do you know?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for just ask you whether you had heard it.' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any have had none more fantastic than this." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Where did he live, then?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. within hail.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then emerged. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Sutherland?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "But I am all in the dark." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation he died? maid will bring up your coffee." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my chance." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all I nodded to show that I had heard. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than get the tickets." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "But the mystery?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must were wasted." "It is possible." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as character. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. shaken than I had ever seen him. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable fear." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the driver. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded weapon." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the to arrive at through this?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Why? What do you mean?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of round and wave him away like that.' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Where did you address your letters, then?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, as the one I chose?' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an politicians who had been sent down from the North. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we in his power. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Street. most interesting one." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind outsides of the windows. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "You horrify me!" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was know that the truth is known." becomes even more simple." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his them, and came down just as you departed. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year learned something! Where are the gems?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "A confidential servant?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "You have the photograph?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his might have a private word with us. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked.