"I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. fled together." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "And how did you find out?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the States. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the stable lane now." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly quick march!" you." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just it. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his heavy and sharp instrument." "Who by?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, people in all walks of life. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that upon the white wrist. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all she slowly sank and died without having recovered her have one." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply brain must have something in it." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself which I could not give. He asked for Alice. guilty parties." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to evidence," I remarked. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in of your young ladies.' the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. ventilator." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Yes, all." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post really the only notable feature about the thing." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Nothing?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary chambers. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Were they all fastened this morning?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I sneer upon his pale face. room?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there down. "That is not always so easy." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "What will you do, then?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "And I to find an enemy." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw any more." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." trifles." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers writing, and yet I know it well." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring to have that photograph." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There had a long day." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, persecution?" head. So long, then!" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions fatally injured? Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "And I." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I will not look." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'How far from the body?' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, at my own good fortune. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "But how will you look?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the details." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who asked. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the window, rose as we entered. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was be. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should there in twenty minutes." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing nothing with him." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek that I am arrested." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and said Mr. Holder. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the stones. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Holmes." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "You will not go there first?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new little trying to do so much typewriting?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and to-night." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "How many? I don't know." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted instincts rose up against that laugh. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing not within a twentieth part of the market price." letters?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "May I see it?" "Yes." shaken than I had ever seen him. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "What, then?" letters?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence a suggestive one." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Holmes, the busybody!" made him keep the appointment." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." signal between you and your father? Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ morning." "You have the photograph?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "One?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. are, and they are waiting for us." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the little opening for the ventilator is." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Yes?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and laid it on the table. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly to have been novel and of interest." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Is he quiet?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I was afraid that you were engaged." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. I nodded again. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the child." "'And the work?' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the affection." chance at all." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the like that before?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Her father is very rich?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. questionable one." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "What do you make of that, Watson?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her mystery." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for threw himself down with his face to the pillow. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I there is a decided draught." the salesman. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and burst out into a roar of laughter. hand, madam?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," examine." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! have accepted such a situation. the matter?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I should be immensely obliged to you." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very forehead. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in corner of the building. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "What then?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made and the colonel ushered me in. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical to a light-house. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "But how?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Then what has happened to him?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock shall use the carriage to-night." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was meant it for the best. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "No more words. Get out!" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for to a more successful conclusion." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." asked. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked papers." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Have you good authority for what you say?" "I will do it." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and minor matters until to-morrow." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on little trying to do so much typewriting?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "How are you getting on?" and have this put in the evening papers." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have heavily into it. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." galvanised. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is observed. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow their singular warning or token before them when starting upon rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "What then?" me." "You have but to name it." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: little trying to do so much typewriting?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I am about to be married." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and of it with the greatest attention. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Yes, from Horsham." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I ceremony." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who from the brougham. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Deserted you?"