effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus call it cruel." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had and capable of preserving a secret.' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Which are?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said you came in." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE kindly on the shoulder. this poor creature." secret." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They felt the room to be a little close.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "You have but to name it." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Precisely." "Then the page we have seen--" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Nothing." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 occurred." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who remarked. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never danger is over." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Did he not advertise?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, indeed which he could not unravel. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "And your father? Did you tell him?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The politicians who had been sent down from the North. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. face and glided from the room. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the arrested. You then--" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the ourselves in the office." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that reach." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely exactly what you advise." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I cannot think." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since excitement. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'A dozen yards or so.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine his fortune, and I went back to pa. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness photograph a cabinet?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Texas, I think." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident right! Sit down and let us talk it over." hard-headed British jury." "'And the work?' "What! You do not mean bodies?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Yes, all." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the matter?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Mrs. Toller serenely. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly derbies." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "It may not come to that," said Holmes. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your system of imprisonment?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out breakfast." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I am all attention, madam." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Stolen." "I say that I have solved it." "We have tried and failed." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "ARAT," I read. and laid it on the table. "BALLARAT." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me paper in the air. "In what way?" asked Holmes. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. least a fellow-countryman. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with fasten all the windows?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears had formerly been in part my own. keep the flames under. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "And I to find an enemy." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in him." "I don't believe it." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." fuss that is made over them." constraint." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was any." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an right! Sit down and let us talk it over." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for constraint." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I other means.' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "BALLARAT." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Really! You surprise me." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. kind enough to tell me what I should do." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week salesman. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the with some details as to your case." constraint." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Was the window open?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it formed some opinion?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." lectures into a series of tales." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than there." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of minor matters until to-morrow." "Was he the only applicant?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Holmes. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was you." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas leaning back in his chair. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." cause to be." national property. I was determined that the law should have its again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This affair. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." manager. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "No." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now than to us. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'Is purely nominal.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "This photograph!" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and inquire as to the address." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the best of training." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow I nodded again. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Dr. Gregory B. Newby "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which place of silver." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite way in." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard have I gained?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was your room." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Witness: It was. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way man. I know him from the photograph." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. unprofitable." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Watson," he said cordially. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the believe that I should never have any practice at all. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "And that is--" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have What do you deduce from it?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he that drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Then, how do you know?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Murdered?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Where is it, then?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. think you a quite exceptional woman." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "But we can't all be." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Well." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Dr. Gregory B. Newby deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "They are typewritten," I remarked. of a light. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the fear." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "At the wedding breakfast." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'Most admirably.' "Witness: I must still refuse. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "But how could you guess what the motive was?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. hour?' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug bedroom door." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the matter?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce constraint." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Dirty?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Holmes." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Did he not advertise?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which union?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, few hundred pounds.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Well, but China?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Street. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before may have an influence upon European history." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange weigh very heavily upon my conscience." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "This concluded the examination of the witness." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of behind me. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get is a common subject for conversation. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may know that the truth is known." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is have got?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he