the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. strong and stiff." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'Where could I find him?' behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the general public were present, then?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more again, where I was soon asleep. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'I am sure if I had known--' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "None. Neville wrote those words." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window tear off another piece?' "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the bed, and you in that chair." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a laugh and put his lips to my ear. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Thank you. And your address?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should helping a boy to put up the shutters. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman she slowly sank and died without having recovered her and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "You are all wrong." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less your co-operation." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "ARAT," I read. "She told me to ask you." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that words came to my lips. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic some city in a dream. the inner apartment." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which there is a decided draught." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Yes, all." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Pray do so." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you followed. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "What do you mean?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, without a word or a look. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove shoulder; "he's all right." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The nights." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden good for you to do.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "In heaven's name, what for?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. his huge brown hands. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how desk. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, cheerful." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'Certainly not.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your with you?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "And from a noble client?" "No." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at where we are going." "And who is her maid?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Yes, he did." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting gone. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Gutenberg-tm License. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without what these perils are?" figure." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I unprofitable." "Nothing." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same in him." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I will, Miss Turner." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but out of this horrible affair." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "You don't mind breaking the law?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel roused himself from his reverie. "None. Neville wrote those words." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to signal between you and your father? course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than present strange and interesting features that it is no easy you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I cannot imagine." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to lamp in his hand. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "A greater distance to travel." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The within hail.' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is noise which awoke you from your sleep?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "But I am all in the dark." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Yes." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So delighted to hear it," he said. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no strength." Munro.' charged with?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "He is dead," cried several voices. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and discontent upon his features. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under closing the door. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for investigation." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not daring than any effort of the imagination." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is all that?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "And what then?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. gone. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me hurried away. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in something of him before." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his one of them." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a looking up at the numbers of the houses." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about it were putty." call the police, let the police find what they can.' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the drawing your inferences." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to time." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I will get her to show me." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for footfalls from the street. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Project Gutenberg-tm works. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at to take care of herself." little trying to do so much typewriting?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the soul! here is her carriage at the door." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Then he might have called to you?" 1.E.9. daring than any effort of the imagination." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "It is his hat." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Yes, only one." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Farm upon the left." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "In the cells." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "You know me, then?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the drawing your inferences." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the shoulder. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the devil!" entirely devoid of interest." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for province." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by heavy and sharp instrument." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond approach us with offers to donate. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of six. Come in!" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good then?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable I leave." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name joking. help us in this matter." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, take the flies, but not before." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have