my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Yes, that is the Crown." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Yes." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just name is different." it." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Quite so." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it spark where all is dark to me." your bag." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Chief Executive and Director "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into third from London." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as ceremony." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "None. Neville wrote those words." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her look dissatisfied." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter that?' pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "How did that help you?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of points to suicide?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average silent! Oh, he will be silent!' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, call for it in person on Monday morning.' cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish you." kindly on the shoulder. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon your sleep?' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as The telegram which we eventually received came late one night beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the King without delay." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he companion. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite residence of the great financier. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's indeed happy." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was burst out into a roar of laughter. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Witness: I must still refuse. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this enough to aid us in our search." outsides of the windows. "I have a cab outside." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be fact, we may call it conclusive." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend works. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "He said too much." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the congratulate you again." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the placed his cuttings. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such sound at heart." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "What then?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the gone. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else cheerful." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private seem to you to be relevant or not." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering me. words came to my lips. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "To an English lawyer named Norton." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. do.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "How often?" ready to-morrow?' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She strength in the others." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary respectable self." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Certainly, madam." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was I took the paper from him and read as follows: be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain go back?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Holmes rather sternly. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "It is solved." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite few hundred pounds.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I digesting their breakfasts at home." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being crime." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Yes, the wine-cellar." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in out." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey be there in time for your coming." instincts rose up against that laugh. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn could not have written that. It is the German who is so "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the waste of energy." have accepted such a situation. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Stoke Moran." your billet.' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in front of me. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Seven!" I answered. "Thank you. Pray proceed." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" second window is the one that I jumped from." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin article?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought tail." "Very. But will he see it?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Well." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. miles off. question," said Holmes, smiling. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and populous neighbourhood." future lives." than to us. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to possible that we could bring him back to her? every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Of Friday, June 19th." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, him to be an active member of the medical profession." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we colonel looking down at me. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my meant it for the best. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." pound a week." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "One of the highest in England." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, any little problem which you may submit to me." my friend's incisive reasoning. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of question. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." is acting for the best. bill, which interests me deeply." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Then I can wait in the next room." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my light and attacked it." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, helping a boy to put up the shutters. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would bare slabs of marble. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I held the little printed slip to the light. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been bill, which interests me deeply." better in every way that they should make their position a little keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this entirely lost his self-respect." "'I have already given you my word.' may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where rooms." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with locked. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Yes." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated entirely devoid of interest." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Has he come with you to-night?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the nursery. "'Certainly not.' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" hereditary King of Bohemia." room. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and it right.' narrative." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly retorted upon me, and I on you." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings to talk it over. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" himself in a perplexing position. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found he died? clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I served to weaken the effect. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Surrey." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange investigation." "What will you say?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter upon an income of about 60 pounds." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a pound a week." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in an introduction to him?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to surprise her." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there meanly of me." have not had my rubber." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was that threaten you." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You prove to be little relation between the different incidents of vault. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I think that I had better go, Holmes." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the inner apartment." "And you can do nothing until then?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I would pay ten." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "The King of Scandinavia." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not bell. Holmes whistled. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had held up the lantern and gazed about him. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Was he the only applicant?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in sofa. This way, please!" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I answered that I had not. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. closely." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is