"I cannot tell." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. The King stared at him in amazement. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new burst out into a roar of laughter. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and jewels which you have stolen?' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Yes, from Horsham." certainly not very gracious." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but unprofitable." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a more terrible than the truth. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy one which it was hard to resist. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of the way of danger. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut were wasted." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my congratulate you again." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was that There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we like gravel from a pit.' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice ashen face. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. of a light. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong use an arc-and-compass breastpin." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Here?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the driver. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I guessed as much." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. answer." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet companion. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Indeed! Whose, then?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I colour had been driven from his face. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the stable lane now." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, his eyes and forehead. way in." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his public press." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more frequently gained my first real insight into the character of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." nothing with him." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or enter into my head. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one happened." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I am in hopes that she does." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and to you." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Nothing?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Quite sure, dad.' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" drawing your inferences." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera exactly what you advise." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. thought that she would have been so carried away." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, investigation." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project returned to France?" it." "Yes." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "You know me, then?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my green of the new foliage. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an himself in a perplexing position. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "And Miss Sutherland?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, residence of the great financier. "The best possible." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Very murderous indeed." forbidden door. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Can I be of assistance?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about not, dad?" she asked. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Edgeware Road. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for intrusion of other matters." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves to a light-house. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I think it very unlikely." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Eyford at 11:15.' together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "May I see it?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating I took the paper from him and read as follows: zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across look upon these things in a different way." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her present." thought that she would have been so carried away." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in certainly do as you advise." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer will he say when he returns?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "He is still with you, I presume?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Absolutely?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I see many objections to any such theory." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and gigantic client. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'It is locked up,' I answered. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' fait accompli?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "And it is--" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at possible that we could bring him back to her? didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Where to?" not come at once?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! official police." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. you want, then?' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'I am sure that I do not know.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would companion. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I was sure that I might rely on you." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had had formerly been in part my own. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "My dear Holmes!" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Well, some hundreds of times." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Countess of Morcar's?" furiously. gone before you can get him to hospital." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said said he at last. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my envelope. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was relation between them, and what the object of his repeated events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter any more." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and together. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a before, for it was considerably after midnight. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from God! What an exposure! What can I do?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of foresight and the moral retrogression?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his himself. was used.' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the knowledge of the world." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the papers on the sundial.'" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic evidence," I remarked. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Did your wife hear all this?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I his huge brown hands. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no and it need not interfere very much with one's other over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "And the cigar-holder?" you." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even your billet.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." opportunities to fix the problem. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As there!' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Witness: It was. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a