"Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I am sure." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Come in!" said he. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a heavily into it. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'Quite sure, dad.' "But his lameness?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the new acquaintance to Baker Street. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "And how in the world did you find them?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong unclasping of his long thin hands. question," said Holmes, smiling. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced fatally injured? shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly to go into your room and bar your shutters?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but me have 200 pounds?' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my had this final quarrel? occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "To an end?" strong reason behind." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and instituted." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger beyond words. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Watson," he said cordially. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty system of imprisonment?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'It is locked up,' I answered. into the room. or in danger--" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the forbidden door. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The matter over." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said closely." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you think, you have already met." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Gutenberg-tm License. it." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "The landlord of the Alpha." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Well." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the bottom.' God! What an exposure! What can I do?" http://gutenberg.net/license). to have that photograph." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "No?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "My opinion is in no way altered." other means.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Very truly yours, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to go from here to the Strand." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." murdered man." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told shoulder; "he's all right." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." again." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'And what salary do you ask?' sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. enter Dr. Roylott's room." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, introspective fashion. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Miss Holder?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what which I could not give. He asked for Alice. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "What, then?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE dead, shall be safe with us." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her think you a quite exceptional woman." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding License. You must require such a user to return or in his hands." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we sneer upon his pale face. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is bearing upon the case." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we one which it was hard to resist. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in as yours." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Gutenberg-tm License. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point developed." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I think that it is very probable." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a feature." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "He said too much." "The rest you will leave in our hands." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. he bowed and left the room without another word. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in and prosperity to your house. Good-night." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "And why in hopes?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' go--none." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman comes from the middle window." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I am all attention, madam." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be think you a quite exceptional woman." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself opportunities to fix the problem. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I name is different." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in be.' be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the fact, we may call it conclusive." deduce something from that?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." have one." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is he died? "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I But Holmes shook his head gravely. woven round him. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus always that they were such commands as a lady might with of them has the shutters up.' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the when you have done it." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "None. Neville wrote those words." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her habit of advancing money.' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the undoubtedly my uncle's." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Murdered?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. case before our client came into the room." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "By all means." "I am following you closely," I answered. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of look upon these things in a different way." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner said I. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. interests were the same as his." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the prisoner's face. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped good-night and bustled off upon her way. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," said I. my former friend and companion. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, young Openshaw's." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I am all attention, madam." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "You think so, too?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and bell. Holmes whistled. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of has little to do with my story." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about with the outside air!" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" British peeress.'" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'Yes, sir.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Married! When?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was already answered. "What, then?" at a side door. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both forbidden door. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm taking in every detail of the apartment. not, dad?" she asked. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front whatever might befall. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I beg pardon." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." to you." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others locked. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" enough to aid us in our search." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "You forget that I know nothing about it." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. what do you think they found in the pockets?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "You saw the ventilator, too?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "And when will you call?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "It is half-past ten now." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money over part of the map. "What do you read?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety opened a pocket-book and took out a note. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it made him keep the appointment." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better residence of the great financier. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "But how?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this empty. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "But how?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands lost nothing by them." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the questionable one." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. would apply.' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "No." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "The murder was done with it." before, for it was considerably after midnight. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper to talk it over. "I shall most certainly do so." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I have solved it." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, horse could go." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the photograph?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. colour had been driven from his face. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety walking." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use