the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "A greater distance to travel." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "You are hungry," I remarked. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found been." even of instruction." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Then the page we have seen--" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for always that they were such commands as a lady might with once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come dead, shall be safe with us." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make your co-operation." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Perhaps I have." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I shall most certainly do so." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the inquest, and which are worth considering." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her this man was intellectual?" forbidden door. the so-precious time, but come!' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Sutherland. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "One of his hands." "No, my brougham is waiting." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the orange pips. but preventing her from injuring another. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was take the flies, but not before." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, matter." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, been able to understand it, in a very few words. business?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Then I am your man." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. http://www.gutenberg.net should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with like gravel from a pit.' fluttered off among the others. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "No." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if someone who had been in Australia." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking interested in these little problems, and since you are good was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Will you go?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "My last client of the sort was a king." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question have accepted such a situation. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the coronet in his hand?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk heavily into it. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and but preventing her from injuring another. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "BALLARAT." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free danger is over." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon woven round him. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "What office?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his to take care of herself." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "His face fell immediately. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a more terrible than the truth. some city in a dream. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a business came to an end." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." IS "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that 1.E.9. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'What then?' I asked. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry sparkled upon his finger. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Yes." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then where Mr. Fordham shows you.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms which are rolled in Rotterdam." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at deduce something from that?" Holmes. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot crime. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in upon the sideboard." "'Oh, no.' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "But we can't all be." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Gutenberg-tm License. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in better in every way that they should make their position a little of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Holmes' face clouded over. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "But how did you gain them?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Certainly." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting is worth.' of his shoulders. "I promise," said Holmes. Count Von Kramm." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard your troubles." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "At the wedding breakfast." entirely lost his self-respect." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local all that?" weighed down with some great anxiety. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "One horse?" interjected Holmes. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I assure you that I am in your hands." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his instincts rose up against that laugh. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary could gather together that I was able to avert another public him." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "How about poison?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. and effective." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with not fit the lock." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would opened a pocket-book and took out a note. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the armchair which I pushed forward for him. article?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a residence of the great financier. or in danger--" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "She showed me, as I told you she would." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. green of the new foliage. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'A dozen yards or so.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you there was no need for father to know." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's and shall probably return to London by the evening train." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the chair. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" grasp, he hurried from the room. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as wedding?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way as the one I chose?' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it helping a boy to put up the shutters. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I will get her to show me." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client highly," said Holmes. house for five minutes.' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is tear off another piece?' turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather hereditary King of Bohemia." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire hopeless attempt at recovering them." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. as noiselessly as she had come. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would conceal it?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar your only hope of safety." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and more solid." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had once more for Briony Lodge. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and that he would see to anything that turned up. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Yes, he did." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to populous neighbourhood." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply colonel looking down at me. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, be. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room ashen face. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'Oh, no.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had drove away. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Witness: I must still refuse. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the little opening for the ventilator is." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would My friend smiled. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My locked." "'Stolen!' he cried. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "What?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and no precautions can guard against." the salesman. "No." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "It is very kind of you." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be London for the present?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." rooms." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "He might." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a next day.