looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, congratulate you again." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Only as much as we can deduce." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Did your wife hear all this?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this to surprise her." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must fasten all the windows?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no always that they were such commands as a lady might with vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It done what I asked you, Jones?" "Yes, sir." gentleman's clothes. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, lost his Christmas dinner." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been may have an influence upon European history." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "No." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE forecastle of an emigrant ship. which was all perfectly true. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit so far?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "One of the highest in England." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which should be so warm over such a trifle." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Chief Executive and Director here." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "And on what day did he meet his death?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as to his chemical studies. putting in the horse. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "You did not overhear what they said?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Did you become engaged then?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting once more on the important position which you have been fortunate murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Which are?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had wanted for ourselves." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or morning." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right front of me. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but at my own good fortune. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "So I have heard." carriage. It was a chestnut." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by respectable self." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and which it had come upon my father." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be becomes even more simple." acted in my house last night?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but closely." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Holmes, the busybody!" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his already been minutely examined." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent most interesting one." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist 'please.'" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "To the police?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "'Entirely.' had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent to talk it over. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged strength of mind to control. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "ARAT," I read. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce nothing with him." humiliation." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Pope's Court. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I cannot tell." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I shall be delighted." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and that he would see to anything that turned up. exactly what you advise." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the intrusion of other matters." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Pool. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Where is it, then?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was been with you?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands carried out of court." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks just ask you whether you had heard it.' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "She showed me, as I told you she would." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I this man was intellectual?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "He said too much." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had wedding?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I shall be delighted." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Where is it, then?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." we went to search for him, face downward in a little and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing call for it in person on Monday morning.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg signal between you and your father? wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. if only as a check to my own memory." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I everything which you would wish to know." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in upon the white wrist. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments young Openshaw's." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been upon the sideboard." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without during the last few years, and there are many noble families to hardly wander." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "What then?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Edgeware Road. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "And your mother is alive?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the done what I asked you, Jones?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Now, then, what's the last entry?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Not yet." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "But how did you gain them?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed retorted upon me, and I on you." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I him." "Did you observe the colour?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to directly by questioning you." husband's writing, madam." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a with the outside air!" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But depend upon my doing so.' "So I heard. You have him here?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "He slept on the premises." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Yes." "It is very kind of you." "And your father? Did you tell him?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and looked back. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and young Openshaw's." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Well, some hundreds of times." "'Which dealer's?' Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, breakfast." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be will be renamed. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or disappearance of these gems?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred jewels which you have stolen?' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. and effective." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "It's nothing of the kind." "Witness: I must still refuse. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "But your client--" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous tapping his fingers upon the table. could go. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" speckled band?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed interest. They are important, you understand, without being golden eyeglasses. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as forebodings. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Why that?' I asks. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits when your master had gone out." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Pray do so." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at situation." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw have established a very serious case against the son of the "Did you become engaged then?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. drawing your inferences." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then death." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Then the page we have seen--" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. photograph?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "And from a noble client?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I am following you closely," I answered. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes lamp. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "And how?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." charged with?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. be best to do. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, entirely lost his self-respect." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "But you were on a friendly footing?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I promise," said Holmes. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Holmes rather sternly. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. daring than any effort of the imagination." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in