"'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Did you become engaged then?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be hair?' "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the that you saw all that I did." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the said he at last. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." where we are going." "It certainly sounds feasible." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven you?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. miles off. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Always." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and your relations to her." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely will be renamed. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of to his chemical studies. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and that he would see to anything that turned up. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "But of what society?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Can I be of assistance?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my you?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'I have already given you my word.' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "No, finished." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes lamp in his hand. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady very peculiar words of the dying woman?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Nearly eleven." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a cause to be." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing death." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able you in yours." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the correct than the official force." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "And it is--" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I would pay ten." said he. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really acted in my house last night?" to-night?" I asked. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to friends, not even his own brother. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will were unconscious?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "But you have hopes?" carried out of court." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able since then to throw any light upon what became of him." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she them present such singular features as the strange train of "Yes." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." him." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' an introduction to him?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "And sit in the dark?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Your sister is dead, then?" "Stolen." "In the cells." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the Assizes." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the coronet at all injured?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Precisely so. But how--" Street. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "How did that help you?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean anything to a woman, for she would have her way." mysterious end." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned nice household for a young lady." recover the gem." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Again Holmes raved in the air. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little on in his house." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without assist you in forming an opinion." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips your most interesting statement." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the intrusion of other matters." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was sound at heart." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." in one or two places in England?' "Yes." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" even so self-evident a thing as that." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told sufficient punishment." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Well, it is a possible supposition." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "The best possible." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the washing it down with a long draught of water. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and wait." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real with some details as to your case." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the dangers which encompass me." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the becomes even more simple." murdered man." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows all-comprehensive glances. too. "It is half-past ten now." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "But you have hopes?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence she might be summoned. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "What steps will you take?" I asked. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Did you become engaged then?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I second." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. I approached. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "How often?" eavesdroppers?' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I am sure." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "What can you not understand?" conclusions. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & instituted." call the police, let the police find what they can.' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards himself. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of whatever might befall. "Not I." best detective that ever lived. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our call it cruel." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "What!" he roared. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Yes?" child?' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the province." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Your presence might be invaluable." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "If I can be of use." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round there is a decided draught." "An enemy?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' speckled band?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "She will not sell." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they heavy and sharp instrument." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Not yet." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were of Fenchurch Street." speckled band?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "BALLARAT." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "There are none." towards the blaze. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of without a word or a look. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' I leave." status with the IRS. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back lips." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not until night should bring an explanation. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "A call for help, you thought?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was daring than any effort of the imagination." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection what is your own theory as to what took place?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal written, and locked the door of the office after me. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "What! a murderous attack?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I cannot imagine." "Dark enough and sinister enough." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions heavy and sharp instrument." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Only as much as we can deduce." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone in the dead of the night?' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it back alive. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have disturbance in my wife." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster meanly of me." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to there!' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss was shining brightly. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "What, then?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his mysterious end." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "It looks newer than the other things?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "He said too much." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "But what is it you wish?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" dear old homesteads?" "And I." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "On your arm?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "He said that you could solve anything." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the eat it." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Quite so." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is in this note: outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I will try. What is it?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "You are all wrong." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the distinguish the words: Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I