threw himself down with his face to the pillow. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. coroner's jury." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar up this clue while it is still hot." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced you for a few hours?" "Where did he live, then?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you once more for Briony Lodge. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Do you know him?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, putting in the horse. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the house with me." remarked. "By no means." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "By all means." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "And I to find an enemy." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Why, what do you mean?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to suddenly upon us." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "No good news?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of campaign. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Mrs. Toller serenely. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'Ample.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "In which, sir?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "How often?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "The Coroner: What do you mean? by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." be.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that that, and I came down." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me waste of energy." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, if she died from some sudden fright." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Certainly." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "What shall I do?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which for the market.' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Absolutely?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." correct than the official force." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Witness: Nothing definite. any little problem which you may submit to me." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first his huge brown hands. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been joking. my former friend and companion. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "You have carte blanche." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "She showed me, as I told you she would." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." pierced for earrings?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "No bad?" not fit the lock." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "No." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "That is it on the dressing-table." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and maid will bring up your coffee." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I when you have done it." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of window when the police appeared." "There is the writing." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not any more." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the just ask you whether you had heard it.' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed in a very precise fashion." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB go from here to the Strand." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which not come at once?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "That sounds a little paradoxical." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know maiden herself was most instructive." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a hereditary King of Bohemia." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for kindly on the shoulder. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how shoulder. Holmes." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and keep the flames under. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. I nodded to show that I had heard. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days call it cruel." showing my impatience. even so self-evident a thing as that." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman burst out into a roar of laughter. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Yes." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My recover the gem." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "But how did you gain them?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on girl said." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the case before our client came into the room." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Where, indeed?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "It was." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." I am not easy in my mind about them." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as nonsense.' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Well, it is a possible supposition." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat remarked. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round these bleak autumnal evenings." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The not as remarkable as your advertisement." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "In answer to an advertisement." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Precisely so. But how--" was used.' Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." had a long day." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common any more." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at examine." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, dates and names. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I shall be delighted." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when papers on the sundial.'" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself fattened it expressly for you.' "I will not look." "Dr. Becher's." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Imitated." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "What will you do, then?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I will not look." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." voice, changing her seat as requested. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely God! What an exposure! What can I do?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The I shall continue with my miserable story. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You been." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it people in all walks of life. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'Entirely.' neither fascinating nor artistic." "Who by?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly said he. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always here and I will read it to you: "No more words. Get out!" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your interested in these little problems, and since you are good blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "They are typewritten," I remarked. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your empty. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting child?' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than was a lad." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I was mad--insane." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I unprofitable." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' generous with you in money matters.' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported to go into your room and bar your shutters?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how once more to my work. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must important." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I don't believe it." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a memory. forbidden door. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am something of him before." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a I took the paper from him and read as follows: appeared upon the scene." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend dramatic, in fact." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Could he throw no light?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the enter into my head. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's sofa. This way, please!" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might guilty one." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Perhaps I have." crime." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true to his chemical studies.