"His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Absolutely none." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was direction." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; bachelor.' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the little opening for the ventilator is." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Yes, there are nearly always some there." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the of." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "But what will you do?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and have this put in the evening papers." "How do you know, then?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Well, but China?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "But you can know nothing of this?" "Then, as to money?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a down. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, forebodings. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "And that is--" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you it right.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee in darkness. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Get out!" said he. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and main points of my analysis." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Is he quiet?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "By all means." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working coroner's jury." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Texas, I think." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he writing, and yet I know it well." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an useful material for showing traces. The double line a little beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "You did not overhear what they said?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." said he at last. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I shall be delighted." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE meant." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Nothing." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated as this. Pray let me have the details." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "And how did you verify them?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but becomes even more simple." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You have the photograph?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us friend's singular character. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Again Holmes raved in the air. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. ceremony." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I acquaintance?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "So I have heard." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying their singular warning or token before them when starting upon money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." you." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his humiliation." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is It may be so in this case, also." me." I took the paper from him and read as follows: saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and again, where I was soon asleep. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the key of the affair now." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the very old mansion. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, fled together." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my that threaten you." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper have not had my rubber." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Married! When?" Pope's Court. just called myself is not exactly my own." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as The telegram which we eventually received came late one night that threaten you." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "But you can know nothing of this?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what companion quietly. "'It is locked up,' I answered. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "This photograph!" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and whether it answered to the description of any of their for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yes, the wine-cellar." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Pray continue your narrative." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Come in!" said Holmes. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me direction." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "But you would not advise me to refuse?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they murdered man." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and corner of the building. enter Dr. Roylott's room." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to are windows in it, of course?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all sound at heart." the running down." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the you." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "The King of Scandinavia." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' that I may have something better before very many minutes are thin legs towards the fire. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Come in!" said Holmes. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "No." mystery." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over what these perils are?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "You saw the ventilator, too?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "To an end?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp wall." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "So I heard. You have him here?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made wedding?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms directors, with the result that you have seen." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "So I have heard." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to entirely lost his self-respect." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'Is purely nominal.' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "No, my brougham is waiting." indeed which he could not unravel. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "No." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the certainly not very gracious." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "What office?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "That is not always so easy." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew tell him that I know him to be innocent." "What, then?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Certainly,' I answered. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector wedding?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by stalked out of the room. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting for and were ordered to this address. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, photograph a cabinet?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on threw himself down with his face to the pillow. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have your bag." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Munro.' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "It came here." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; down. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he sentimental considerations in the background which would induce husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a you." her also." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" you for a few hours?" murdered man." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, morning." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. fire. You quite follow me?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works started for the Temple to see my husband. do.' "Quite so. She has her freedom." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the advice." Holmes' thin, eager face. "Was she in good spirits?" "Quite so." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'What do you call purely nominal?' through." like gravel from a pit.' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or whole matter to your consideration." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'I have already given you my word.' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "It was a confession," I ejaculated. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, interest. They are important, you understand, without being harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my strode off upon his way. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon unprecedented a position." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I am still in the dark." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed if only as a check to my own memory." way: first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Proceed, then." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant them, and came down just as you departed. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door.