me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed awkward doing business with an alias." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of said he at last. to talk it over. success. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Yes." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the dangers which encompass me." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I am all attention, madam." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "One?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." grasp, he hurried from the room. companion quietly. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Where to?' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. back into the street. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Yesterday." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "I am in hopes that she does." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. here and I will read it to you: agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we interest. They are important, you understand, without being amused." said Mr. Holder. roused himself from his reverie. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of outsides of the windows. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been himself to hunt down. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from not as remarkable as your advertisement." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well entirely devoid of interest." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "No, distinctly professional." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. shall not find me ungrateful." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical woman." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the nursery. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very been able to understand it, in a very few words. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the nice household for a young lady." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called on in his house." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "He slept on the premises." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in felt?" "I guessed as much." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" you for a few hours?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Ah, but I was recommended to you." until night should bring an explanation. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "None." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "There are none." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'Which dealer's?' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for highroad, where all traces were lost. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "But you can know nothing of this?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall sake, don't!" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it confronted him. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over public press." lamp in his hand. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "No sign of it?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny you understand?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest said I. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from wedding?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their other lovers by making love himself." there when the Rucastles went away." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can her also." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was and the church but not where the lady lived." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does chill to my heart. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "What is it?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of point in the dark hollow of his hand. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit which our visitor detailed to us. soul! here is her carriage at the door." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "And it is--" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. used to be." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said that he will be back before evening." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "And the murderer?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "What then?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner crackling voice. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "But you can know nothing of this?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face to-night?' "'Never.' ceremony." soul! here is her carriage at the door." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Who by?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the ceiling. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I was sure that I might rely on you." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said looking up at the numbers of the houses." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Your sister is dead, then?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and papers diligently of late, have you not?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "He is dead," cried several voices. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might here." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed giving me time to thank him. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" make me his representative both with the servants and with the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "9th. McCauley cleared. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little signal between you and your father? "Is he quiet?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered shall use the carriage to-night." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." do." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the room while you explain this matter?" and I shall be with you presently." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his 11:15.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly nonsense.' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out chemical work which was so dear to him. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Entirely." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'And the work?' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "And Irene Adler?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the south-west, I see." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or waste of energy." "I say that I have solved it." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any You want to know what became of those geese?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I do." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is in this way: lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "What, then, did Peterson do?" "And why?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps chambers. "And why?" situation." "What! You do not mean bodies?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "He slept on the premises." young Openshaw's." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Farm upon the left." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that meanly of me." to-night?" I asked. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out James Windibank. Voilà tout!" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to outbreak?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "No more words. Get out!" "At half-wages, in fact." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Holmes, the busybody!" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah at home. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I fear not." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently sufficient punishment." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Doctor, of the paper and the date." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, character. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure question," said Holmes, smiling. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of