you." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "You have but to name it." in his hands." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Was he the only applicant?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which bird I ate is country bred." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" salesman. the south-west, I see." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the have an American origin." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and cigars in their mouths. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "That's no good." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, presume?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "It is his hat." few hundred pounds.' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES London for the present?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Yes." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." row." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they second window is the one that I jumped from." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he certainly do as you advise." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'Is purely nominal.' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but British peeress.'" call for it in person on Monday morning.' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and nice household for a young lady." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely sentimental considerations in the background which would induce that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during closely." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was could not account in any way for the presence of the missing really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to entirely devoid of interest." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot started for the Temple to see my husband. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. most interesting one." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying mysterious end." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "What then?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I power." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. ready to-morrow?' morning." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to future lives." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such standing smiling on the door-step. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon place no limit on the sum I may draw." I. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Sholtos." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or disappearance of these gems?" to some other building. "None. Neville wrote those words." key of the affair now." "He is still with you, I presume?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was awaited us upon the table. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I have a cab outside." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Ample.' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "The Coroner: What do you mean? I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I am about to be married." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. are, and they are waiting for us." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens of." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Not social, then?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Heh?' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "The Cedars?" with some details as to your case." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Yes." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." congenial hunt. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most everything which you would wish to know." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I floor. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Cross for the Continent." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had existence." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "What then?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. already referred to. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "On Monday." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Quite so. She has her freedom." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought tightly behind him. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. it. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure there!' Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "An accident, I presume?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. been shamefully used." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is I took the paper from him and read as follows: and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Holmes rather sternly. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Married! When?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I am in hopes that she does." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Your presence might be invaluable." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "And Irene Adler?" there in twenty minutes." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "What I expected to see." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal breakfast." "Come in!" said he. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his them present such singular features as the strange train of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault suspect him." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he minor matters until to-morrow." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No." Street. beyond words. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then opportunities to fix the problem. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point individual and becomes the badge of a society." "But your client--" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out more terrible than the truth. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm chemical work which was so dear to him. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Oh, the cause is excellent!" I am not easy in my mind about them." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined I nodded again. him to be an active member of the medical profession." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and the church but not where the lady lived." back into the street. pictures, libraries, or plate. "Thank you. And your address?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if detained." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a cup of tea. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I assure you that I am in your hands." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we affair. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "An accident, I presume?" to have that photograph." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "On the contrary, this is the right side." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "And did you observe any change in her then?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I fire. You quite follow me?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and the colonel ushered me in. My friend smiled. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Her father is very rich?" to arrive at through this?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be gone before you can get him to hospital." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into jewels which you have stolen?' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who him to be an active member of the medical profession." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close how narrow had been my escape. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Never,' said I. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss within hail.' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and corner of the building. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. fact, we may call it conclusive." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe bled considerably." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural of your young ladies.' and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between in one or two places in England?' "So I am. Very much so." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the child." one of the states of the Union." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. with you?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR