been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two companion. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring I took the paper from him and read as follows: late." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the room while you explain this matter?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter what is your own theory as to what took place?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a grasp, he hurried from the room. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "To ruin me." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. hands. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have obstinate." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of answer." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to true." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I he bowed and left the room without another word. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "If so, much may have happened between." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "No legal papers or certificates?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Have you it here?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love one of the states of the Union." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "And did you observe any change in her then?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this will not take me long to tell. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been directors, with the result that you have seen." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "But she could not love him." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." happened." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I fear not." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Then, as to money?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly said I. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a to his chemical studies. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I shall most certainly do so." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'Yes, sir.' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I thought that she would have been so carried away." once more to my work. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I would pay ten." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Eh? What was that?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon lost nothing by them." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'Most admirably.' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood exactly what you advise." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Yes, at the mines." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran been able to understand it, in a very few words. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press shall not find me ungrateful." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "And I say east," said my patient. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "My opinion is in no way altered." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband was already answered. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Then the page we have seen--" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the coronet in his hands?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the strength." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry floor. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "No, finished." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Very well, sir. And this stone?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." retorted upon me, and I on you." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "He might." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this secret." one of them." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" some water from a caraffe. weighed down with some great anxiety. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition presented which may be striking and bizarre without being shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his only touch the interest." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the telegram would bring me down to your help." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding clang of the bell. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." forebodings. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The here and I will read it to you: man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the one as in the other." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in next day. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most lids now and glanced across at his visitor. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "It is possible." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. you." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of come either from the window or the door. My attention was taking in every detail of the apartment. "Witness: Nothing definite. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be could not account in any way for the presence of the missing said he. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "But what is it you wish?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake during the last few years, and there are many noble families to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, had died away into the silence from which it rose. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so fire. You quite follow me?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Yes, sir." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "And how have you succeeded?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered but preventing her from injuring another. "That is unusual in a young girl." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in that I am arrested." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. was feeling which was the fattest.' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "The best possible." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place 'please.'" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right followed. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would hard-headed British jury." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Where, indeed?" yards of it?' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the back to my heart. "There are none." good-night and bustled off upon her way. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, guilty one." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that writer." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in I held the little printed slip to the light. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are had no one to advise her at such a crisis." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the Assizes." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "You know me, then?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE tail." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "What I expected to see." knowledge of the world." "'About the same.' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a lost his Christmas dinner." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "One horse?" interjected Holmes. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Where, then?" "Yes, it would be as well." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a you give your casting vote to?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "You'll never persuade me to believe that." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' be.' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "And what did you see?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning thirty. exactly what you advise." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business presented more singular features than that which was associated ordinary clothes on?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the comes from the middle window." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "None. Neville wrote those words." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this nothing with him." went to the Alpha were town bred." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in should be so warm over such a trifle." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Stoke Moran." all?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I am still in the dark." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, to surprise her." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and wanted for ourselves." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'Certainly not. But why?' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the child." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It corner of the building. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about into the room. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "You forget that I know nothing about it." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I would give my fortune to have them back." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Lestrade of Scotland Yard." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "No, thank goodness, she did not." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble became a certainty. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Surrey." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic minor matters until to-morrow." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my chance at all." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Never to return." investigation." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, is a common subject for conversation. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt one else, I think." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was