"The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Indeed! Whose, then?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Come in!" said he. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that think you a quite exceptional woman." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup been shamefully used." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "None." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as be best to do. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy you, my dear young lady?' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your villagers almost as much as their master. seem to you to be relevant or not." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the warnings." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This characteristics, but those are the more obvious." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "What then?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the bearing upon the case." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the devil!" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you to have been novel and of interest." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the little opening for the ventilator is." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "How do you know, then?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. of receipt of the work. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he coroner's jury." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and depend upon my doing so.' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the closely." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. trying to your nerves." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It must be recovered." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly fait accompli?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "What do you make of that, Watson?" me where it went to?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Certainly." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." paper in the air. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged cup of tea. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Always." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "A call for help, you thought?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "And why?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise that "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, License. You must require such a user to return or protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," meant." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "It is half-past ten now." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "And now?" I asked. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Then he might have called to you?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered key of the affair now." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and past. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and security.' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for chemical work which was so dear to him. "And is that all?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might October 9, 1890. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "No, my brougham is waiting." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Sutherland?" cigar and let me expound." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you stalked out of the room. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either chamber." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Never." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "What then?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then quite distinctive." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Well, but China?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "My last client of the sort was a king." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Farm upon the left." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the system of imprisonment?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Street. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "And I." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety you." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see jewels which you have stolen?' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it might help us?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to in this way: "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Yes, that is the Crown." grasp, he hurried from the room. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be weigh very heavily upon my conscience." long narrative. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "But who is he?" "Where is it, then?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "How did you trace it, then?" "None." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have get the tickets." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "And for present expenses?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "No, my brougham is waiting." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. come either from the window or the door. My attention was his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and no precautions can guard against." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle your most interesting statement." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Stolen, then." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that purpose of examination. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Clair, of Lee." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "My last client of the sort was a king." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of a light. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may into her hand at the door and which lured her within their hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not said he at last. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from recover the gem." invisible to me," I remarked. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I would give my fortune to have them back." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Precisely." straighten it?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" constraint." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I think it very unlikely." and have this put in the evening papers." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant should be taken.' entirely devoid of interest." "But it has twice been burgled." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout seven miles from Eyford Station.' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the opportunities to fix the problem. fat-encircled eyes. "What shall I do?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is here." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Breckinridge is his name." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained questionable one." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as with some details as to your case." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I am still in the dark." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "No good news?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned have an American origin." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." brain must have something in it." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than will take you up to see the machine.' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "She showed me, as I told you she would." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of campaign. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt could go. seem to you to be relevant or not." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and that he would see to anything that turned up. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they even of instruction." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss following enigmatical notices: have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Witness: Nothing definite. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Count Von Kramm." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before attention." of the vacancies.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Never to return." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in which was all perfectly true. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Your French gold?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "The Coroner: What do you mean? some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the bed, and you in that chair." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "And is that all?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "We have tried and failed." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here yards of it?' "Yes." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent train.' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely assist you in forming an opinion." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty enough to aid us in our search." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do already referred to. "Of what?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes.