so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Texas, I think." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Where to?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and shall not find me ungrateful." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Well, but China?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I cannot imagine." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. such attractions and accomplishments?' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could This is what he says: him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." was a loud and authoritative tap. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Your presence might be invaluable." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City his eyes and forehead. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel views." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? heavy and sharp instrument." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they skylight. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "9th. McCauley cleared. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The case before our client came into the room." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Sholtos." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "And I." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "The vanishing of the lady." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen was it brought him the coronet? noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Yes." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I will, Miss Turner." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Surrey." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he out." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been room. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I business at Coburg Square is serious." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had highly," said Holmes. "'I am sure if I had known--' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." was used.' research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his answered with a sidelong glance. this Miss Turner." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off down from London to inquire more deeply into it." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Then he might have called to you?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the matter?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very companion quietly. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. prisoner's face. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the Red-headed League." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I charge against him will break down." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he at home. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Henry Baker is a member." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and business." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." used to be." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "No sign of it?" whatever might befall. "My opinion is in no way altered." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "That is easily got." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "A confidential servant?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the side-table." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "My stepfather's business papers." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Yes." cigars in their mouths. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew is entirely a question of barometric pressure." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Certainly, madam." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." been shamefully used." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "The Coroner: What do you mean? showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up discontent upon his features. fact, we may call it conclusive." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'You cannot say what it was?' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I would pay ten." the date of his supposed suicide." lamp in his hand. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Is 4 pounds a week.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter him. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn arrested. You then--" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "No." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this suspect him." certainly not very gracious." advice." Surrey." "What are they?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "In answer to an advertisement." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." present." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be presented which may be striking and bizarre without being more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle most interesting one." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Yes." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE What do you deduce from it?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. awkward doing business with an alias." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' furiously. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very existence." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "What, then, did Peterson do?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue arms and began to sob in a high treble key. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is business?" "Very. But will he see it?" This is what he says: only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Stoke Moran?" said he. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and outbreak?" yourselves in at night?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the bonnet, and went out." It may be so in this case, also." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the new acquaintance to Baker Street. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That better in every way that they should make their position a little other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "One of his hands." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "And from a noble client?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Do you know him?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "'Certainly not.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will these bleak autumnal evenings." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Then he might have called to you?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for arrangements." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short impression behind it as though a window had gently closed ways including including checks, online payments and credit card and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I cannot tell." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I have a cab outside." just ask you whether you had heard it.' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" hurried away. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a floor. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little then?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced his fortune, and I went back to pa. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something held up the lantern and gazed about him. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the power." ago." on in his house." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban completely overtopped every other consideration that we both my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." made him keep the appointment." matter over." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the know what is wrong with it.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "But I am all in the dark." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It bed dies. Does not that strike you?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away other lovers by making love himself." "Not in the least." weighed down with some great anxiety. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of used to be." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a next day. time." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." is worth.' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Thank you. And your address?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, But Holmes shook his head gravely. page at http://pglaf.org "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you these bleak autumnal evenings." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of whether it answered to the description of any of their diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master detained." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "A greater distance to travel." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever disappearance of these gems?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be sound at heart." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Yes, they were peculiar boots." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which believe that I should never have any practice at all. "That was it, sir." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was chambers. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Will you bet, then?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We yet." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or straighten it?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Did he not advertise?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert telegram would bring me down to your help." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "On Monday." him nearly every evening." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as what do you think they found in the pockets?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and