the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I see no marks." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the my room." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply peculiar to him. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "What can you not understand?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a views." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'Certainly,' I answered. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. kindly on the shoulder. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of The events in question occurred in the early days of my she slowly sank and died without having recovered her that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, you in yours." to tackle the facts." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I cannot imagine." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and affair. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Proceed, then." is worth.' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'There is a drive, then?' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, of your young ladies.' you in yours." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" foresight and the moral retrogression?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." mystery may be cleared along those lines." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Not social, then?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Yes, it was gone.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they written. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and into the room. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And you thought he was pulled back?" was shining brightly. the Assizes." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, room. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. place of silver." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. happened." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out that I am arrested." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. were new raised from a basin. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for ordinary clothes on?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "And leave your case unfinished?" "No?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "And what then?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, confronted him. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this details should find their way into the papers. Inspector case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are fishes. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "'I shall certainly be there.' drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "And how did you verify them?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I said I. is four-and-twenty." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." villagers almost as much as their master. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that country, and eventually married, without anyone having a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's bedroom door." "Yes." eavesdroppers?' Holmes. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too at my own good fortune. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of enter Dr. Roylott's room." fatally injured? the house with me." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes together. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the or in danger--" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would simple cases which are so extremely difficult." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce in the dead of the night?' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, annoyance, but no jest. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I have my revolver," said I. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of read over the extraordinary announcement. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all six. Come in!" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "You did not overhear what they said?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in through." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "But how will you look?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE vault. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the best of training." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Married! When?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door that I am arrested." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to written, and locked the door of the office after me. crackling voice. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Yes, but only for you and me." "Then I shall certainly come." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so have an American origin." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "But the mystery?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked that I may have something better before very many minutes are pressing in one house as in another. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I nothing with him." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "You are certainly joking, Holmes." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' danger is over." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, her also." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong chambers. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "And it is--" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest to-night?" I asked. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "And I to find an enemy." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "But how will you look?" "How did that help you?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds do." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, one's self under obligations.' "Absolutely none." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel think that any burglar could have done. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just foot. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the very morning of the wedding." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks present strange and interesting features that it is no easy at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord system of imprisonment?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can and capable of preserving a secret.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night where we are going." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. annoyance, but no jest. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." his knees, staring into the fire. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was do." Where does the thing come from?' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" know all about it," he snarled. maid will bring up your coffee." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "What! a murderous attack?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From written, and locked the door of the office after me. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs grasp, he hurried from the room. "You saw the ventilator, too?" other lovers by making love himself." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can emerged. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. fashion which was peculiar to him. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," brought there to personate someone, and the real person is It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "My opinion is in no way altered." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my trifles." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the lost his Christmas dinner." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Where, indeed?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Why did you beat the pavement?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my when your master had gone out." may have an influence upon European history." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they of fine shops and stately business premises that they really first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a written, and locked the door of the office after me. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. newspaper selections." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I came to find a friend." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should prepare for the new role I have to play." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." but preventing her from injuring another. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as followed. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Pray do so." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something never will be, entirely cleared up. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless character. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in suspect him." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, and no precautions can guard against." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the License. You must require such a user to return or "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Precisely so. But how--" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was mystery." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband unprecedented a position." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed status with the IRS. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a character. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we narrative." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was