what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "She will not sell." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "In answer to an advertisement." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Oh, the cause is excellent!" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, know that the truth is known." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "No." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Not particularly." "But to whom?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "That sounds a little paradoxical." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger of." these bleak autumnal evenings." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "You'll never persuade me to believe that." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. true." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "But what is it you wish?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. up this clue while it is still hot." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very in a very precise fashion." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Yesterday." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Yes, I have one waiting." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know place no limit on the sum I may draw." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from writer." events, Mr. Windibank!" "Of Friday, June 19th." three of the beryls in it, was missing. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "But he might be a bachelor." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" you." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in of the way of danger. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I cannot say that I have." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he drawing your inferences." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the fluttered off among the others. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has than to us. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Was your sister dressed?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and one's self under obligations.' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." upon the white wrist. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her made his money." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Was your sister dressed?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold conversation I have gathered that they have been married about characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible than to us. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men strong reason behind." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the made him keep the appointment." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always McCarthy." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the 'please.'" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and him to be an active member of the medical profession." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I was certainly surprised to find you there." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "You did not overhear what they said?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," I leave." "'Yes, sir.' directly by questioning you." colour had been driven from his face. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan just called myself is not exactly my own." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it new duties?' "I will do it." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had of fine shops and stately business premises that they really attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "But she will refuse." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some him." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Look there!" said he. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and through." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and said he. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Where, then, is my wife?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Breckinridge is his name." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the you, my dear young lady?' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's open." the child." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "May I see it?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Why did you pick him?" do.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in McCarthy's innocence. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Certainly." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "None." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "What! Had he lost his wife?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "And your mother is alive?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a friends, not even his own brother. ventilator." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Yes, he did." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "It's nothing of the kind." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray shaken than I had ever seen him. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the companion. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Can I be of assistance?" tear off another piece?' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been you, my dear young lady?' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'Oh, no.' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been shaken than I had ever seen him. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Pool. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was salesman. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the used to be." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her been lifted and conveyed somewhere." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to on re-entering her father's house?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here into her hand at the door and which lured her within their in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we wedding?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after side. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Where does the thing come from?' present." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for trifles." seven miles from Eyford Station.' passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the on in his house." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to some other building. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Who was the criminal, then?" the coronet at all injured?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, six. Come in!" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the just ask you whether you had heard it.' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it congenial hunt. DAMAGE. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "You are certainly joking, Holmes." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my is now desirous of getting those letters back." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Your French gold?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. both be extremely obliged.' beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and that you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a call the police, let the police find what they can.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the all?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that me. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, it." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, upon the shelf for the interim." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. of the one which your family is now devouring." maid will bring up your coffee." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a cheerful." peculiar to him. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I think that it is very probable." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, have one." "Stoke Moran?" said he. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Precisely." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears definite end. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. acted in my house last night?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. families. Now for the facts. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the