"Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret done what I asked you, Jones?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "The murder was done with it." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I have my revolver," said I. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this But Holmes shook his head gravely. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the more solid." the morning and make my own way in the world.' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "My dear Holmes!" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Holmes." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Was your sister dressed?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it The summons was a brief and urgent one. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his his eyes and forehead. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "But how will you look?" that there was nothing in it, after all." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Then how many are there?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase papers must be those that are destroyed.' conduct the inquiry." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "What I expected to see." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Street. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are at once, for I have only half an hour." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some status with the IRS. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Edgeware Road. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the straightened it out again. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an been shamefully used." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting unclasping of his long thin hands. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even tell them apart.' "No, I had a dozen." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "And why?" woven round him. "I have solved it." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Ten will be early enough." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Yes." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His strength." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Has he come with you to-night?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Then I can wait in the next room." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers writing, and yet I know it well." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door instituted." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "One of his hands." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, II. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was fashion which was peculiar to him. "'What, the red-headed man?' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally as he folded up the epistle. chance at all." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then his huge brown hands. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'And what salary do you ask?' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "But she will refuse." figure." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think it with his own hands." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you brandy and water within his reach. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that been shamefully used." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, important." the bottom.' "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. do." coroner's jury." "When did it break out?" "And I to find an enemy." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," about. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase you, my dear young lady?' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the matter?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not noble correspondent could be. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'I have already given you my word.' allusion to a rat. "No, my brougham is waiting." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table do.' ventilator." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Who by?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his taking in every detail of the apartment. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been himself to hunt down. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year been shamefully used." Stoke Moran." out." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Lee, in the county of Kent." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in absorbing." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his room. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind individual and becomes the badge of a society." "He is still with you, I presume?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon success. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. gigantic client. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." 1.F. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "And is that all?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." indeed happy." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "And is that all?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to knowledge of the world." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday crowd. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting used to be." made his money." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. suspect him." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare perplexity from it to my illustrious client. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "How are you getting on?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat be best to do. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall his face which made him a very different person to the round, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond it with his own hands." 1.E.9. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I you." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism eavesdroppers?' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "And I say east," said my patient. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched business came to an end." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue electronic works however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and again, where I was soon asleep. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is gigantic client. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls had a long day." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not country, and eventually married, without anyone having a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Come in!" said Holmes. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying all that?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "What then?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Sutherland. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the bed, and you in that chair." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and a shock of very red hair. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' ashen face. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." possible that we could bring him back to her? guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we evidence," I remarked. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' question. matter over." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face call it cruel." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, mystery." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely passage and a tap at the door. best detective that ever lived. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is ill-usage at the hands of fortune. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than with you?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Yes." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of in his power. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one very old mansion. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "But I have heard all that you have heard." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was hands. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "But how did you gain them?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for whole matter to your consideration." throat." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been