wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against fled together." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the locked. Mary, has deserted me." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face some place of shelter and let the county police know what has branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her you give your casting vote to?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his certainly do as you advise." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your families. Now for the facts. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to written. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as article?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a companion. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of derbies." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will row." "I cannot say that I have." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Nor running a chance of arrest?" matter." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has ready to-morrow?' the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the were new raised from a basin. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Holmes." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey taking in every detail of the apartment. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, sneer upon his pale face. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed into the bag, and made for the door. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." rat could hardly pass through." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Perhaps I have." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Not social, then?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one over here." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." there in twenty minutes." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "You think that he is dead?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I have solved it." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears gentleman's clothes. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite American. Then who could this American be, and why should he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of a light. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is wedding?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'Yes, it was gone.' "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "You think so, too?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I thirty. new acquaintance to Baker Street. ago." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'Is 4 pounds a week.' of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." in this way: girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "What will you say?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very of Mr. Rucastle's." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now correct than the official force." "Never to return." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not habit of advancing money.' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The go--none." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and burst out into a roar of laughter. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the she might be summoned. look upon these things in a different way." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies could not have written that. It is the German who is so fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Very. But will he see it?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Count Von Kramm." "At what time?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see advice." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from voice, changing her seat as requested. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "If I can be of use." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Oh, the cause is excellent!" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do chamber." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he definite end. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built thought that she would have been so carried away." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New During two years I have had three consultations and one small Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round But Holmes shook his head gravely. what these perils are?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. to affect your life." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Then I do not see the point." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. address. from you?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "You are hungry," I remarked. heavily into it. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Surrey." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table events than those which have happened in my own family." been." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the station." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the direction." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Entirely." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Holmes' thin, eager face. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Very truly yours, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "There is the writing." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly footfalls from the street. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had means taking possession of that which another person has a prior minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "No, but the enclosure is." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "And how did he make his money?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "What then?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "What!" he roared. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country acquaintance?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her writers could invent nothing more crude." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" case before our client came into the room." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, I think that I could be of assistance to you." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Why? What do you mean?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of returned to France?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are purpose equally well?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping father's young wife. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I would pay ten." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been my secret was safe in his possession. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and DISSOLVED. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his matter." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he hand, madam?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded fled together." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We answer." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "And who is her maid?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing was lame." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. galvanised. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "No legal papers or certificates?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Can I be of assistance?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard observed. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss along the entire front of the house, with three long windows with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it heavy and sharp instrument." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming said he. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Breckinridge is his name." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I man. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the both be extremely obliged.' other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the acquaintance?" "Did you observe the colour?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "He might." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Miss Holder?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged him." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush you." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you my friend's incisive reasoning. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle