help us in this matter." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of http://gutenberg.net/license). "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Then, how do you know?" waste of energy." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'In my own bureau.' round with crates and massive boxes. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Thank you. Pray proceed." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, status with the IRS. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you chemical work which was so dear to him. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which your equipment. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' posted to-day." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Yes, at the mines." unprofitable." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes, there are nearly always some there." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I never have." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Yes." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "You have compromised yourself seriously." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "One?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his opportunities to fix the problem. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to were wasted." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to upon the white wrist. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever during which he might have communicated with his friend the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting been with you?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "No." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one respectable self." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak once more on the important position which you have been fortunate power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which foot. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'Which dealer's?' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Your presence might be invaluable." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. know that the truth is known." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to his face which made him a very different person to the round, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that mystery!" I have it here in my museum." his face which made him a very different person to the round, have an American origin." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your was used.' "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, vault. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "How did you trace it, then?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and himself to hunt down. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time affair. the south-west, I see." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed suggested at once that there must be a communication between the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Quite so. She has her freedom." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily for the market.' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business be there in time for your coming." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year details." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all beyond words. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a ran thus: "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and it. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I to some other building. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "It is possible." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was noting anything else of interest. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and it need not interfere very much with one's other lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Did you observe the colour?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Edgeware Road. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "And you can do nothing until then?" "But you have hopes?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining fat-encircled eyes. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I to arrive at through this?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with again on its way. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you happened." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'Then let me do so?' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was peculiar to him. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face a few minutes he said that it would be all right. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner envelope. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the second window is the one that I jumped from." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to be. Clair, of Lee." "What shall I do?" "'Quite sure, dad.' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "My own seal." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'Quite sure, dad.' "I don't believe it." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook was it brought him the coronet? forebodings. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Certainly, madam." "That is it on the dressing-table." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Clair, of Lee." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our your bag." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "By train from Waterloo." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the done what I asked you, Jones?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me distance from the station, and there we found the young lady developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "And who is her maid?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "No good news?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall breakfast?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical lamp. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the meant it for the best. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed suddenly upon us." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to as the one I chose?' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms him!" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. could go. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a into the bag, and made for the door. of a light. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the best of training." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love cigar and let me expound." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." house for five minutes.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one friends, not even his own brother. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the running down." any little problem which you may submit to me." business matters.' who was a member of your goose club." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have chill to my heart. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. shall use the carriage to-night." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to you for a few hours?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "But what will you do?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed over with notes and figures. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one walking." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he or other trace. But how on earth--" presented more singular features than that which was associated "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable chance." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." mystery may be cleared along those lines." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" in the dead of the night?' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to know that the truth is known." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Were they all fastened this morning?" them?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and important." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and be. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the warnings." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "That sounds a little paradoxical." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "What is it, then--a fire?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "And what then?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had when you have done it." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Where did you address your letters, then?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one business came to an end." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of should be taken.' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if disappearance of these gems?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "No, I am descending." "I cannot tell." fatally injured? it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a address. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that I am arrested." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the coronet in his hand?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to