article?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could business?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the one as in the other." page at http://pglaf.org Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my you do it in twenty minutes!' bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "You know me, then?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "You think that he is dead?" License. You must require such a user to return or to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a writers could invent nothing more crude." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "It is very clear." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a indiscretion." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to conclusions. "One?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all himself to hunt down. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Which are?" from the brougham. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as wedding?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six joking. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Well, it is a possible supposition." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "You'll never persuade me to believe that." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. and inquire as to the address." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Yes?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a acted in my house last night?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Where does the thing come from?' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from considering the formidable letters which were received by himself I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass business." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such works. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "And your father? Did you tell him?" instincts rose up against that laugh. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "We must sit without light. He would see it through the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any both be extremely obliged.' morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and I shall be with you presently." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage carried out of court." shall not find me ungrateful." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "My opinion is in no way altered." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Nothing." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "He might." best detective that ever lived. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them you." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She and the colonel ushered me in. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor go back?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is was shining brightly. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "On the contrary, this is the right side." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "That also I could fathom." "My own seal." "Then he might have called to you?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what generous with you in money matters.' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Why serious?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Not yet." without a word or a look. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, wife's character?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," cigars in the box." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'Which dealer's?' be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I promise," said Holmes. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that ventilator." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by question," said Holmes, smiling. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my kind enough to tell me what I should do." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised strong reason behind." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a politicians who had been sent down from the North. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "What I expected to see." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "By train from Waterloo." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness amused." "You are all wrong." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his before the coroner and the police-court." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "No. His orders were to stay in the house." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know if I call to-morrow?" enough to aid us in our search." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the tension within him. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was morning." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and fled together." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "But what is it you wish?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. problems help me to do so." there in twenty minutes." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, ran thus: upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of populous neighbourhood." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Yes, it would be as well." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left him!" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been used to be." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'Why that?' I asks. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you meanly of me." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Where does the thing come from?' less than 26s. 4d. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'As governess?' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "But who is he?" "None." guilty one." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "That is easily got." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black had picked up in the wood. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing are windows in it, of course?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the McCarthy's innocence. to-night." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "My own seal." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my good for you to do.' III. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action to where he stood hid behind the curtain. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your residence of the great financier. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in ventilator." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A to-night." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the away to you." the general public were present, then?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled article?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. purpose of examination. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Was your sister dressed?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Then you may be so with me." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'I shall certainly be there.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door mystery may be cleared along those lines." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the very morning of the wedding." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down you do it in twenty minutes!' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little from you?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "How often?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a second." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great entirely lost his self-respect." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the matter." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Holmes. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the John Swain, of St. Augustine. "And I say east," said my patient. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when them?" back alive. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting before the coroner and the police-court." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the in this note: better grown goose." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Serpentine Avenue. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "What do you make of that, Watson?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had lost nothing by them." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "That is unusual in a young girl." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or very old mansion. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "No." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their are windows in it, of course?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet