enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case appeal." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "BALLARAT." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. me where it went to?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me see a sister of mine apply for." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the matter." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, DAMAGE. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change formed some opinion?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because hair?' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there companion. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb digesting their breakfasts at home." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Holmes' face clouded over. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "How did you trace it, then?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally fat-encircled eyes. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the emerged. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "The King of Scandinavia." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Then I can wait in the next room." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." together. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the coronet in his hands?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "That is it on the dressing-table." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send remarked. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think look upon these things in a different way." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Then I can wait in the next room." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some waste of energy." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You long narrative. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I should be immensely obliged to you." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know very old mansion. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "He disappeared so suddenly." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his on in his house." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "You have carte blanche." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Perhaps I have." "Your presence might be invaluable." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round as this. Pray let me have the details." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Has he come with you to-night?" third from London." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the situation." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Perhaps I have." less than 26s. 4d. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of him!" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very upon a handsome competence. of your young ladies.' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. morning." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think presented more singular features than that which was associated however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in lost nothing by them." astonishment. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "And you don't know his address?" stalked out of the room. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my hour." "What, then, did Peterson do?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" man. I know him from the photograph." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the inquest, and which are worth considering." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, this remarkable episode. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous guilty parties." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." have not had my rubber." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the weapon." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just morning." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call indeed happy." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and capable of preserving a secret.' have one." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. hand, madam?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project forehead. happened." entirely devoid of interest." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were was a loud and authoritative tap. "Not I." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Very much so." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted tell me that you intended to go into harness." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, good for you to do.' them present such singular features as the strange train of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. exactly what you advise." "Have you it here?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "But how will you look?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to-night?" I asked. page at http://pglaf.org the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which details." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police obstinate." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I cannot tell." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the date of his supposed suicide." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Holmes. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been opened a pocket-book and took out a note. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential indeed which he could not unravel. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Chief Executive and Director was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Then he might have called to you?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "And what then?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "What steps will you take?" I asked. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the your room." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Frequently." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, overpowering excitement and concern. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill face and glided from the room. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I important." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover you?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less taking in every detail of the apartment. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence to take care of herself." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was hurried away. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "If so, much may have happened between." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "The gentleman I describe." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, telegram would bring me down to your help." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable fuss that is made over them." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is that he will be back before evening." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "It is a murder, then?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep tied." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was straighten it?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do enter into my head. mysterious business." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "The decline of his fortunes, then?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" strode off upon his way. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated business." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "How long did she speak to this Alice?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Yes." advice." "'Ample.' night.' said he. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the key of the affair now." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "But you were on a friendly footing?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was morning." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and of your young ladies.' that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and is worth.' "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "VIOLET HUNTER." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement fasten all the windows?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You swore that no one else had been in the front room during the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, of the vacancies.' a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and a shock of very red hair. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an do." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any later, upon the night of May 2nd." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Then how many are there?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' morning." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "My Mary? Impossible!" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will floor. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, them present such singular features as the strange train of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. during that time.' from the brougham. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not and I shall be with you presently." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' felt the room to be a little close.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who than was visible to me." "That's no good." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person something of him before." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I cannot imagine." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I cannot imagine." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered