with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go companion imperturbably. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country followed. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the be best to do. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever child?' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal works. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'No, I know no one in these parts.' remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope nothing of it?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort information in his hands the value of which he did not himself employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "And how in the world did you find them?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I am still in the dark." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the breakfast." not as remarkable as your advertisement." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Bought." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Holmes. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my results." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's anything to do with the matter?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "At the wedding breakfast." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Well?" window when the police appeared." whereabouts. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "On Monday." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a face and glided from the room. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." night.' said he. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Holmes' face clouded over. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "And how?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" wedding?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is o'clock is it?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Thank you. And your address?" at once, for I have only half an hour." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which becomes even more simple." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in than was visible to me." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to coat-tails." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong certainly not very gracious." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the inquest, and which are worth considering." said I. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" money should be paid at once.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you security.' "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced McCarthy's innocence. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "In what way?" asked Holmes. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Certainly." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty American. Then who could this American be, and why should he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert most interesting one." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'Oh, no.' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "A call for help, you thought?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Certainly, madam." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "How did he come?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Was the window open?" you?' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed you." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them other means.' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Yes, certainly." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The if only as a check to my own memory." together. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low call for protection in the marriage market, for the present while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Pray do so." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Eyford." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the weary and pale-looking. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very second." Holmes. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed some city in a dream. matter over." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the out." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "I beg pardon." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "The murder was done with it." "Just look it up, then." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. events than those which have happened in my own family." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Holmes' room. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate electronic works his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover even so self-evident a thing as that." stepfather?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down writing, and yet I know it well." "Of what day?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And you can do nothing until then?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "No, finished." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Game for a morning drive?" companion. "I would give my fortune to have them back." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed affection." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my it were putty." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "You saw the ventilator, too?" friend's singular character. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. you." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to did not hear it also.' "But we can't all be." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Come in!" said Holmes. might have a private word with us. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have husband's writing, madam." "At the wedding breakfast." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'Entirely.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few corner of the building. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I seen the man in the road." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a less than 26s. 4d. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were footfalls from the street. "How are you getting on?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is guilty parties." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all coat-tails." hard-headed British jury." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in became a certainty. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off absorbing." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Yes. He waved his hands." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box over here." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "The King of Scandinavia." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he less than 26s. 4d. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her murdered man." affection." "And how did he make his money?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' will be renamed. deduce something from that?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "You did not overhear what they said?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we go from here to the Strand." "'Entirely.' Lee, in the county of Kent." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a upon an income of about 60 pounds." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in few hundred pounds.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a round and wave him away like that.' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the key of the affair now." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed handed it to him. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been started for the Temple to see my husband. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "And how did he make his money?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You have the photograph?" my former friend and companion. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Yes, he did." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a late!' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Eyford." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with is acting for the best. "'Certainly,' I answered. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about for and were ordered to this address. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "She walked into the breakfast-room." lamp. I nodded to show that I had heard. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for good for you to do.' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' there!' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots nice household for a young lady." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." official police."