the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have both be extremely obliged.' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black gentleman's clothes. showing my impatience. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or congenial hunt. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the coronet in his hand?" signal between you and your father? companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. morning." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the people in all walks of life. The events in question occurred in the early days of my and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my affection." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." http://gutenberg.net/license). at my remark. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were points to suicide?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a purpose of examination. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" deduce something from that?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow round with crates and massive boxes. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would power." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his anything to do with the matter?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Of Friday, June 19th." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your ago." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from one of the states of the Union." "And that is--" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the burst out into a roar of laughter. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." pressing in one house as in another. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. intrusion of other matters." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest tell them apart.' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I think it very unlikely." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the there!' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Were they all fastened this morning?" back alive. meant it for the best. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Then he might have called to you?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there events, Mr. Windibank!" "'And the work?' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was new duties?' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "At the wedding breakfast." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the general public were present, then?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of row." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Whose house is it?" asked. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow his huge brown hands. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "And I to find an enemy." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "And how did you verify them?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong views." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the driver. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Then how many are there?" other means.' waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time completely overtopped every other consideration that we both place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of writer." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' for the market.' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Could he throw no light?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid lost his Christmas dinner." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an use an arc-and-compass breastpin." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Nothing?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he she might be summoned. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very beyond words. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous him nearly every evening." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is But Holmes shook his head gravely. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Deserted you?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything hurried away. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and such attractions and accomplishments?' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at fuss that is made over them." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he have established a very serious case against the son of the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Never." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Pray continue your narrative." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from becomes even more simple." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for front of the hall door has given its name to the place. to tell." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Holmes, the busybody!" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your ago." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having singular points about the case. What did the police think of the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, know all about it," he snarled. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official of the efforts of the United States government and of the better direction." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "What then?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped hand, madam?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "An enemy?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy could not account in any way for the presence of the missing tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has entirely lost his self-respect." purpose of examination. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and not, dad?" she asked. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that of campaign. "This concluded the examination of the witness." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies your co-operation." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. like that before?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed before, for it was considerably after midnight. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'Certainly,' I answered. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" sake, don't!" in his hands." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare miles off. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and think that he is innocent?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were think you a quite exceptional woman." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of flock.' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Why? What do you mean?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly cigar and let me expound." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I would give my fortune to have them back." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Arthur Conan Doyle during the last few years, and there are many noble families to full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get me upon any point which I do not make clear." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as his knees, staring into the fire. open." for its centre. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning father's place of business?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from interests were the same as his." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the devil!" the matter." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." how narrow had been my escape. my special province." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "About a month then." said I. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper affection." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'Ample.' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the devil!" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the outbreak?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and past. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and McCarthy's innocence. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Yes, certainly." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. an introduction to him?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front should be so warm over such a trifle." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "But how did you gain them?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my noting anything else of interest. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "The Cedars?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for of them has the shutters up.' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their copied or distributed: - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until awkward doing business with an alias." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! purpose of examination. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is to arrive at through this?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. second window is the one that I jumped from." despaired of." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Where to?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and in my life." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general that he will be back before evening." lamp in his hand. thin legs towards the fire. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have