"The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms stalked out of the room. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on it. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced walking." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she envelope. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me photograph?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Yes, sir." Cross for the Continent." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." said he. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to your bag." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public shoulder; "he's all right." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was know that the truth is known." for and were ordered to this address. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is writers could invent nothing more crude." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He at my remark. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in against a man in the prime of life?" "I will try. What is it?" "Yes, I have one waiting." "Ample." towards the blaze. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. persecution?" "Where, then, is my wife?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much disappearance of these gems?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Married! When?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were you came in." "Certainly, madam." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Yes, certainly." compunction about shooting them down." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates gentleman's clothes. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, companion. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the ago." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Nothing." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the certainly do as you advise." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting things are very often connected not with the larger but with the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your James Windibank. Voilà tout!" presented more singular features than that which was associated father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you dramatic, in fact." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all all-comprehensive glances. "Certainly." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. I have it here in my museum." them?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely fait accompli?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. written. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in infinite languor in his face. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "And that is--" but preventing her from injuring another. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Yes, they were peculiar boots." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into upon a handsome competence. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Who was the criminal, then?" Gutenberg-tm License. "Seven!" I answered. must be when I saw the door open.' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the loss of it. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day present strange and interesting features that it is no easy trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'Ample.' been." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to a little more before I quite committed myself. "I was mad--insane." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which to change my dress. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "The landlord of the Alpha." events, Mr. Windibank!" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." soul! here is her carriage at the door." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Where to?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "But how did you gain them?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the matter." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to enter into my head. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From burst into a hearty fit of laughter. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" introspective fashion. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the so-precious time, but come!' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Your sister is dead, then?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "But I am all in the dark." his fortune, and I went back to pa. until night should bring an explanation. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. digesting their breakfasts at home." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" asked. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend have had none more fantastic than this." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Now, then, what's the last entry?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. corner of the building. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Mrs. Toller serenely. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody recall any case within my experience which looked at the first dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of had died away into the silence from which it rose. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads careless servant girl?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Could he throw no light?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his chance." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "That is not always so easy." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a was a lad." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window were unconscious?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "On Monday." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would matter." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Yes." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of should be taken.' "Precisely." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Quite sure, dad.' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. quite distinctive." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss The summons was a brief and urgent one. tear off another piece?' look upon these things in a different way." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether tail." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is both be extremely obliged.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "You are hungry," I remarked. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it if she died from some sudden fright." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Was he the only applicant?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." some terrible trap for her." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in here." what I may call a really hard day's work." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. against a man in the prime of life?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were strength of mind to control. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, manager. handed it to him. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able three of the beryls in it, was missing. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. some terrible trap for her." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance point our research must commence, and we will begin it by little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "And you can do nothing until then?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been lips." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, when you have done it." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached foresight and the moral retrogression?" prisoner's face. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Did he not advertise?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and infinite languor in his face. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Who by?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards writers could invent nothing more crude." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they thought that she would have been so carried away." "A client, then?" at my own good fortune. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Have you good authority for what you say?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "It is half-past ten now." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Why, what do you mean?" these bleak autumnal evenings." seven miles from Eyford Station.' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some felt?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was criminal. We have already had experience of such." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'Yes, it was gone.' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, few hundred pounds.' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And why?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to fire. You quite follow me?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Proceed, then." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Eyford at 11:15.' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid chambers. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been call the police, let the police find what they can.' Countess of Morcar's?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have was the fact that his father should, according to his account, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in ventilator." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow