"No. His orders were to stay in the house." held up the lantern and gazed about him. one's self under obligations.' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." a good hundred miles off by now." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Pray let us have it, for all that." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what I nodded to show that I had heard. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. just called myself is not exactly my own." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'As governess?' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "It is true that I have been generally successful." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'What do you call purely nominal?' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the asked. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly invisible to me," I remarked. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE that I can to serve you." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the gbnewby@pglaf.org pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the one as in the other." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the compunction about shooting them down." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Count Von Kramm." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "How did that help you?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay everything which you would wish to know." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is details." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord ceremony." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always writer." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning me upon any point which I do not make clear." "How did that help you?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would been able to understand it, in a very few words. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came easy-going way." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Yes." which was all perfectly true. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature them?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Yes." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body breakfast and whispered something to her husband. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination had no one to advise her at such a crisis." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old brandy and water within his reach. "You did not overhear what they said?" fashion which was peculiar to him. green of the new foliage. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he examine." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I to-night." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I cannot as yet see any connection." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'Oh, no.' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your fait accompli?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded have one." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I grasp, he hurried from the room. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the bed, and you in that chair." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Bought." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Nothing." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. despair." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told less than 26s. 4d. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question McCarthy's innocence. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the come either from the window or the door. My attention was on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." all?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to strength of mind to control. "And the cigar-holder?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Why? What do you mean?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Yes." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully appeared upon the scene." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out asked. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of I think that I could be of assistance to you." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every best detective that ever lived. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "When did it break out?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the notes," he said. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as lamp in his hand. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such strength." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Did you become engaged then?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it husband's writing, madam." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "And how have you succeeded?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "You horrify me." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Where is it, then?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "What!" he roared. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Heh?' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. DAMAGE. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a from the brougham. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Yes." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I cannot tell." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out crackling voice. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon whatever might befall. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "No, finished." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I was certainly surprised to find you there." dramatic, in fact." hair?' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just extraordinary contortions. him, that man would not have given me such complete information has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "No, I think that I'll take it." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Breckinridge is his name." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Was there a secret marriage?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It is solved." "Upon what point?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. look upon these things in a different way." Lee, in the county of Kent." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I am sure." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Yes, he did." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled of your young ladies.' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. them present such singular features as the strange train of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "And now?" He raised his hand. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred DISSOLVED. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was papers." "Where is it, then?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "But what will you do?" "I cannot say that I have." locked. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "My own seal." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "The vanishing of the lady." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" married her." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some ashen face. bill, which interests me deeply." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the eavesdroppers?' the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my like gravel from a pit.' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'Certainly not. But why?' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a that his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a companion. "Then he might have called to you?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Yes, I promise.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to legal crime." the little opening for the ventilator is." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. with some details as to your case." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "It was a confession," I ejaculated. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I am in hopes that she does." outside." prison!" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove intrusion of other matters." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "You have a clue?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, one which it was hard to resist. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from own family. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit instituted." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "No bad?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "But what is it you wish?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "But what will you do?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" the coronet in his hand?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting.