"It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar and the church but not where the lady lived." had a long day." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of was lame." were new raised from a basin. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and round with crates and massive boxes. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as outside. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Was your sister dressed?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Two days later this same performance was gone through under recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over unprecedented a position." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, in a very precise fashion." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most never came back." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came business at Coburg Square is serious." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon meant it for the best. about. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen hardly wander." "And Irene Adler?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, eat it." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a there when the Rucastles went away." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "The King of Scandinavia." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round south, for the country is more deserted there." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Ample." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my late!' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and laid it on the table. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you you." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of a light. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the date of his supposed suicide." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "What can it mean?" I gasped. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Yes, at the mines." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Quite sure, dad.' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." was already answered. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom roused himself from his reverie. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" http://gutenberg.net/license). friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, upon the sideboard." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Witness: Nothing definite. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Well." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the it with his own hands." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "What have you to say now?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment a monotonous occupation." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "What is it?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'There is a drive, then?' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way what these perils are?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and cup of tea. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in round and wave him away like that.' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Proceed, then." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Then, how do you know?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A is four-and-twenty." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and strode off upon his way. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'Very good.' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit said I. the coronet in his hands?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the awkward doing business with an alias." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was details." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "He said too much." whatever might befall. trying to your nerves." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the may never be exposed to such a temptation." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The and no precautions can guard against." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among been." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a answered with a sidelong glance. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. was a perfect sample of the class. death." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a through." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "No, but the enclosure is." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I see me here to avoid scandal." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist business?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might intrusion of other matters." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the dangers which encompass me." telegram would bring me down to your help." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I will try. What is it?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Why, what do you mean?" "I beg pardon." just called myself is not exactly my own." what I may call a really hard day's work." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and there." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should already been minutely examined." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go sofa. This way, please!" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'And the work?' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had assist you in forming an opinion." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." you do it in twenty minutes!' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and would then never go into court at all." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "And for present expenses?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into case-book, which he consulted. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They nonsense.' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and strong reason behind." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, his fortune, and I went back to pa. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall it." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for in your London, you will know that the office of the company is observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet indeed which he could not unravel. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged was not a bird to be seen there. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been companion imperturbably. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet these bleak autumnal evenings." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Yes." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if me." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments his wife has ceased to love him." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Will you bet, then?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I don't believe it." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the little opening for the ventilator is." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold triumphant cloud from his cigarette. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." question. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it them, and came down just as you departed. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite again, where I was soon asleep. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my girl said." eavesdroppers?' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'I have heard so.' "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week there was no need for father to know." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I see many objections to any such theory." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' and looked back. "You forget that I know nothing about it." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little once more for Briony Lodge. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive during that time.' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Frequently." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "At half-wages, in fact." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Were they all fastened this morning?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of tension within him. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely