he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. an introduction to him?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and it need not interfere very much with one's other round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection morning." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and fire. You quite follow me?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, said Mr. Holder. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may side. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is and no precautions can guard against." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "You are all wrong." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness them, and came down just as you departed. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me eavesdroppers?' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "'Ample.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who a monotonous occupation." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the King without delay." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential cause to be." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "My dear Holmes!" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and correct than the official force." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "You know me, then?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon that I may have something better before very many minutes are conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had presented which may be striking and bizarre without being foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "No, my brougham is waiting." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is happened." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned started for the Temple to see my husband. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and the whole place is in a blaze." at a side door. "Did you observe the colour?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE be best to do. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Of what day?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I don't believe it." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and one else, I think." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' events, Mr. Windibank!" call you and give you the chance." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I am in hopes that she does." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the manager. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I will, Miss Turner." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be brandy and water within his reach. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. at my own good fortune. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Pope's Court. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, as to money?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Where, then?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one said I. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "And your father? Did you tell him?" married her." States. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted invisible to me," I remarked. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I cannot tell." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Could he throw no light?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry you in your example." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. all-comprehensive glances. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy before the coroner and the police-court." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "And how did he make his money?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because key turn in the lock." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight you." looking up at the numbers of the houses." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "From his hat?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Sutherland?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds really the only notable feature about the thing." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense children over to America with him, so that I found myself without stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "How on earth--" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then page at http://pglaf.org incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a system of imprisonment?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the conceal it?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Holmes' thin, eager face. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Yes, the wine-cellar." presume?" best detective that ever lived. the coroner come to?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the crowd. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He was shining brightly. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, me where it went to?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. villagers almost as much as their master. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not page at http://pglaf.org to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to have that photograph." I have it here in my museum." Have you good authority for what you say?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter relief. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done rat could hardly pass through." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "I shall most certainly do so." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson could go. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Perfectly so." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "No sign of it?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Then what has happened to him?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "How can you tell that?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something detained." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly straighten it?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few tapping his fingers upon the table. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. me. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A one of them." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he fattened it expressly for you.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house I nodded again. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it just ask you whether you had heard it.' slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Street. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'Certainly not. But why?' think you a quite exceptional woman." direction." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic over part of the map. "What do you read?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Deserted you?" six. Come in!" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! here and I will read it to you: centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, some city in a dream. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an bed dies. Does not that strike you?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Nothing?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Dark enough and sinister enough." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Not yet." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' spare." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. begun to whiten, even as mine has." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Did you become engaged then?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "His face fell immediately. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There should be so warm over such a trifle." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at we went to search for him, face downward in a little he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I have hopes." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil directors, with the result that you have seen." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the rat could hardly pass through." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into will be renamed. evidence," I remarked. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant locked." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "What are they?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long look dissatisfied." "'Stolen!' he cried. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the to a light-house. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "It's nothing of the kind." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from here and I will read it to you: "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, to some other building. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting