distinguish the words: you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "My photograph." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the as the one I chose?' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Where could I find him?' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Has he come with you to-night?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay ourselves in the office." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in trifles." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said is worth.' with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'As governess?' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the fait accompli?" second window is the one that I jumped from." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a burst out into a roar of laughter. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then at home. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his meanly of me." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "How did you trace it, then?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, there when the Rucastles went away." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "If I can be of use." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would over here." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already carpenter." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and call it cruel." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the loss of it. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE leaning back in his chair. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's in the hope of finding them." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I writer." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or father's place of business?" emerged. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." ways of our fellow-men." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out memory. photograph a cabinet?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the side-table." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and back into the street. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I fear not." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I cannot tell." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the stones. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "You have but to name it." became a certainty. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'Never.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the one which it was hard to resist. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "An accident, I presume?" tear off another piece?' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman mysterious end." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had that the gas is not laid on in his house?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "'Quite sure, dad.' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Nothing?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any all that?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which read it out to me." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from you." "Just look it up, then." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Eyford at 11:15.' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should a very grave face. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Not him." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be his grey eyes. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." what is your own theory as to what took place?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there developed." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Farm upon the left." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "You will not go there first?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's to tell." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life there when the Rucastles went away." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That as noiselessly as she had come. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It is no ordinary one." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which as this. Pray let me have the details." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country strange features which were associated with the two crimes which over here." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend hour?' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and wife's character?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "She will not sell." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend copied or distributed: much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Holmes' face clouded over. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "How many? I don't know." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Where did he live, then?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him begin with, and I had not got mine yet." been able to understand it, in a very few words. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared corner of the building. cup of tea. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as flock.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my place of silver." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Then the page we have seen--" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps was a lad." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "None." "Dr. Becher's." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "If so, much may have happened between." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' legal crime." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Yes, sir.' any more." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." October 9, 1890. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is character. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a wedding?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband it were putty." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Could he throw no light?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for been." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the matter." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to present." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I shall most certainly do so." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship brought there to personate someone, and the real person is crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "What will you do, then?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if presented more singular features than that which was associated "Certainly." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his answered with a sidelong glance. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Quite so. She has her freedom." rat could hardly pass through." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to she might be summoned. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Was your sister dressed?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest closely." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper bears upon the case?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my kind enough to tell me what I should do." morning." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go here." "Absolutely none." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant more solid." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the your Highness to the police-station?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "And why?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "A thing like a cleaver," said he. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed showing my impatience. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. man. I know him from the photograph." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It instincts rose up against that laugh. there when the Rucastles went away." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I character. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the loss of it. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Well?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "10th. John Swain cleared. a good hundred miles off by now." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at ready to-morrow?' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. in this way: call for it in person on Monday morning.' rat could hardly pass through." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Indeed! Whose, then?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for arrangements." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Witness: Nothing definite. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'Certainly,' I answered. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in stood on the top of it. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Dirty?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "And now?" I asked. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Thank you. Pray proceed." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the coronet at all injured?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Yes." delighted to hear it," he said. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I cannot think." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, way: The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open sake, don't!" carried out of court." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had peculiar to him. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "But how did you gain them?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Game for a morning drive?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which enough to aid us in our search." tightly behind him. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "What will you say?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down tell them apart.' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread meant it for the best. there in twenty minutes." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, of Fenchurch Street." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very never will be, entirely cleared up. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of the vacancies.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the prisoner's face. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and