practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I am in hopes that she does." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, hard-headed British jury." throat." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "But she could not love him." little trying to do so much typewriting?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic questionable one." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away and no precautions can guard against." "Yes." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. prison!" have been better. It is all right." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "There is the writing." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going garden below. floor. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with that you saw all that I did." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "But the mystery?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, in a friendly supper." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a have not had my rubber." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "And why in hopes?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my copied or distributed: low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the been." colour had been driven from his face. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "And why?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our bill, which interests me deeply." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Absolutely none." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up never came back." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the devil!" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen prepare for the new role I have to play." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good suddenly upon us." fluttered off among the others. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, death." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Can I be of assistance?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. been deceived." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "That is it on the dressing-table." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." certainly do as you advise." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Ha! you find it so?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my child?' "And what then?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that it." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as in his power. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent matter." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "My photograph." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon he. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "The doctor?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Upon what point?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. union?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to it." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for society." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came vault. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "To the police?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "What have you to say now?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" again." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "But you were on a friendly footing?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "That was it, sir." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming The summons was a brief and urgent one. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as were new raised from a basin. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Yes." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into pound a week." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed imbecility!" he cried. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every your most interesting statement." "To ruin me." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Most admirably.' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself forecastle of an emigrant ship. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I cannot tell." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that companion quietly. Henry Baker is a member." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by becomes even more simple." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I say that I have solved it." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. forehead. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose happened." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Entirely." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and fait accompli?" himself to tell his story. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness pound a week." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers at my own good fortune. I am not easy in my mind about them." indeed happy." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "He disappeared so suddenly." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a existence." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. must be when I saw the door open.' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of in this note: cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so answer." bachelor.' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I in one or two places in England?' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "But she will refuse." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the clanging. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Dr. Gregory B. Newby With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall fat-encircled eyes. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she one of them." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I am to be neutral?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Your French gold?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I prepare for the new role I have to play." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. better grown goose." "Not social, then?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch appeal." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "And when will you call?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" everything which you would wish to know." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging floor. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "You did not overhear what they said?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Stoke Moran?" said he. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Get out!" said he. prison!" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Imitated." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. I took the paper from him and read as follows: knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune seem to you to be relevant or not." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock she slowly sank and died without having recovered her have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I was certainly surprised to find you there." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into unclasping of his long thin hands. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." any." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most shaken than I had ever seen him. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I am in hopes that she does." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, families. Now for the facts. "Do you know him?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the coronet in his hands?" appeared upon the scene." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon strong reason behind." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "We must sit without light. He would see it through the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "You will not go there first?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "No, but the enclosure is." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. was a loud and authoritative tap. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter formed some opinion?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the date of his supposed suicide." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. prisoner's face. "Were they all fastened this morning?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down could gather together that I was able to avert another public his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under to surprise her." way: of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' dear old homesteads?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, he died? "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the your billet.' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were colonel looking down at me. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what you." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Does that suggest anything?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Perhaps we may make them less so." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that galvanised. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the dangers which encompass me." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands For additional contact information: would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Why did you pick him?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who detective. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own