see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Yes, I promise.' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the little opening for the ventilator is." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "It was." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw shaken than I had ever seen him. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous to surprise her." you want, then?' printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "It was a confession," I ejaculated. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Street. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, matter." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "To an end?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and less than 26s. 4d. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." little adventures." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "He said that you could solve anything." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and me." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted families. Now for the facts. secret." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a details." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards charge against him will break down." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, to a light-house. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Well." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Really! You surprise me." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Perhaps we may make them less so." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Then the page we have seen--" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from to some other building. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but trying to your nerves." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Breckinridge is his name." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem examine." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to that I can to serve you." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Very murderous indeed." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this straightened it out again. newspaper selections." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the towards the blaze. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he point in the dark hollow of his hand. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor enter into my head. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "But not more so than I to find you." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up if she died from some sudden fright." his grey eyes. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with guilty one." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. enter into my head. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets least a fellow-countryman. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that IS "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the to-night's adventure." is now desirous of getting those letters back." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Why, it's a dummy," said he. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "The knees of his trousers." "I am in hopes that she does." "Absolutely none." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me developed." "Why did you pick him?" details." His name is Francis Prosper." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the tightly behind him. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was only touch the interest." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Have you her photograph?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Yes, sir." carpenter." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "My dear Holmes!" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this front of me. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. when your master had gone out." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "You did not overhear what they said?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Where, then, is my wife?" it were putty." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'And the work?' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Never." "He said too much." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from records." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the people in all walks of life. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up she to prove their authenticity?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "You have but to name it." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would everything which you would wish to know." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that cigars in the box." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very nights." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Certainly, madam." noble correspondent could be. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut and I shall be with you presently." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he ago." "'Yes, sir.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Of Friday, June 19th." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed to where he stood hid behind the curtain. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Leadenhall Street--and--" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "And that is--" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Holmes' thin, eager face. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking gentleman's clothes. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'I have already given you my word.' "Nothing." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted drove away. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in emerged. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Of what day?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not what these perils are?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he main points of my analysis." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did foot. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Here?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, round with crates and massive boxes. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Certainly." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid what is your own theory as to what took place?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in possible that we could bring him back to her? pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have are, and they are waiting for us." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "My opinion is in no way altered." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Where, then?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever empty. "Will you bet, then?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is The King stared at him in amazement. are, and they are waiting for us." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for your own bird, so if you wish--" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, a very grave face. "Tired-looking or fresh?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent your troubles." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "They are typewritten," I remarked. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the confronted him. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of all-comprehensive glances. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, present." my room." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No good news?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this had no one to advise her at such a crisis." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the ran thus: friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the matter?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to at once, for I have only half an hour." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be would apply.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of tightly behind him. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'Certainly not. But why?' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from his grey eyes. if only as a check to my own memory." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" so.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he relation between them, and what the object of his repeated preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be said he. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it gone before you can get him to hospital." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the your sleep?' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Never." "'Where could I find him?' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the