voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Yes." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which carriage. It was a chestnut." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'And what are they worth?' I asked. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I am in hopes that she does." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was rose-bushes. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, as yours." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a closing the door. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with name is different." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Oh, yes, easily." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Yes. He waved his hands." electronic works "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Yes?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. leave you to your papers for a little." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Ah, but I was recommended to you." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that room had already been engaged for us. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out brain must have something in it." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears attention." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the system of imprisonment?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, interested in these little problems, and since you are good charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you depend upon your compliance." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Then I can wait in the next room." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Perhaps we may make them less so." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name into the room. hour?' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, License. You must require such a user to return or "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key some water from a caraffe. not as remarkable as your advertisement." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "It is very clear." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a is a common subject for conversation. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Watson," he said cordially. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Where to?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will point in the dark hollow of his hand. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, habit of advancing money.' to-night?' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have second." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing obstinate." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the warnings." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' I approached. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to thirty. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Have you good authority for what you say?" acquaintance?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Who by?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. persecution?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, them?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I might help us?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "There are none." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it child?' makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my conduct the inquiry." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Perhaps we may make them less so." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips opened a pocket-book and took out a note. 1.F. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Clair, of Lee." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "How do you know, then?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'And what salary do you ask?' "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "He might." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight money should be paid at once.' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. again." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Yes, sir." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are your most interesting statement." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I came to find a friend." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding gbnewby@pglaf.org admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the depend upon my doing so.' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "But how will you look?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white with you?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant discontent upon his features. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and glanced through. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave searched, without anything being found which could incriminate daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "How did you deduce the select?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our everything which you would wish to know." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "And now?" He raised his hand. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "And why?" hour." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an man. I know him from the photograph." already referred to. newspaper selections." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "And how did he make his money?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the o'clock is it?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but fish-monger and a tide-waiter." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "This concluded the examination of the witness." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the woven round him. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was written. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I nodded again. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Of what day?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "But how did you gain them?" shall not find me ungrateful." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass lectures into a series of tales." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, me have 200 pounds?' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves be.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide them?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from The telegram which we eventually received came late one night difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were be there in time for your coming." placed his cuttings. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and laid it on the table. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow crime." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some wedding?" "Nothing?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "You will not go there first?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Oh, fresh and glossy." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. do." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Where did he live, then?" "I see no marks." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "But of what society?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for system of imprisonment?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "And you can do nothing until then?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was writing, and yet I know it well." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if fait accompli?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried me where it went to?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who of his shoulders. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the know that the truth is known." late." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would manager. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "We must have a cab." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "By train from Waterloo." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "You horrify me!" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe be there in time for your coming." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Pope's Court. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we directors, with the result that you have seen." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "No bad?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Who was the criminal, then?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he hour?' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and that I am arrested." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Your French gold?" it." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever John Swain, of St. Augustine. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days 1.E.9. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the heavy and sharp instrument." matters immensely." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that appeared upon the scene." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." do.' friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I am following you closely," I answered. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the to take care of herself." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. a little more before I quite committed myself. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Tired-looking or fresh?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. there when the Rucastles went away." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too problems help me to do so." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it examination of the premises, but without finding anything which mystery!" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders your sleep?' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two