present strange and interesting features that it is no easy The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on touch that coronet?' outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "It was." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, to affect your life." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'No, I know no one in these parts.' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause simple cases which are so extremely difficult." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind manager. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," before the coroner and the police-court." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. nothing of it?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I shall most certainly do so." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and have this put in the evening papers." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have direction." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I cannot imagine." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. make me his representative both with the servants and with the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was hurried by. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "But it has twice been burgled." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the side-table." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I was afraid that you were engaged." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes reach." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "And how have you succeeded?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that persecution?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'Ten to two.' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and a shock of very red hair. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Then I shall certainly come." "Stolen, then." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in take the flies, but not before." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'Oh, no.' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line peculiar to him. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my business in the City. She little knew what. guilty parties." "Yes. He waved his hands." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What entirely lost his self-respect." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the was keenly on my guard against him. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." events than those which have happened in my own family." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "It is his hat." the inner apartment." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a outsides of the windows. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "And for present expenses?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own DISSOLVED. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, you?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there gone. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "I should like to see him very much." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she as noiselessly as she had come. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our McCarthy's innocence. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing morning." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer You want to know what became of those geese?" wanted for ourselves." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Countess of Morcar's?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and went to the Alpha were town bred." pictures, libraries, or plate. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I some terrible trap for her." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Ah, but I was recommended to you." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "She will not sell." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You know me, then?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been overpowering excitement and concern. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe outside." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a ways of our fellow-men." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I cannot imagine." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I see no marks." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were call the police, let the police find what they can.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, just called myself is not exactly my own." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "No, my brougham is waiting." and capable of preserving a secret.' "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "It must be recovered." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. clang of the bell. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I think that it is very probable." call you and give you the chance." "I will not look." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working 'I should be able to look after that for you.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, wedding?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "And who is her maid?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, floor. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his I think that I could be of assistance to you." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Holmes' thin, eager face. "What have you to say now?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. which we had just quitted. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "What shall I do?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and could go. me have 200 pounds?' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." was already answered. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a nothing with him." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Can I be of assistance?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she foot. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the dramatic, in fact." Henry Baker is a member." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "No." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of this gang." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked late." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower was a loud and authoritative tap. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. status with the IRS. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "And why?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. whole matter to your consideration." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to head. So long, then!" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." asked with his eyes open. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "But she will refuse." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet you, my dear young lady?' "But we can't all be." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. several quiet little villages up there." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could I nodded to show that I had heard. "Absolutely?" "Come in!" said Holmes. "And I to find an enemy." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down furiously. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "There are none." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I guessed as much." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Only as much as we can deduce." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. quickly through a disagreeable task. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked you." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" in his hands." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the running down." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss just called myself is not exactly my own." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I guessed as much." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Yes, sir." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the for its centre. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon nonsense.' scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a question," said Holmes, smiling. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "None." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and what these perils are?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "My dear Holmes!" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers of them has the shutters up.' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Nothing." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "No, my brougham is waiting." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what digesting their breakfasts at home." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see more terrible than the truth. asked. "I have seen the police." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Eyford." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "A greater distance to travel." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying