have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "And did you observe any change in her then?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my be.' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my have established a very serious case against the son of the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your business." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "How many? I don't know." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. fishes. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much into the room. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Stoke Moran?" said he. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "And what did you learn from him?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's wife's character?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer plantation.' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his footfalls from the street. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Do you know him?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass bachelor.' of Fenchurch Street." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Stolen, then." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her whole matter to your consideration." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "What then?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "And how?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Yes, sir.' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the Red-headed League." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we It was close upon four before the door opened, and a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of It was close upon four before the door opened, and a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and the whole place is in a blaze." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Of what?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "I have seen the police." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "And you can do nothing until then?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm when your master had gone out." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend anything to a woman, for she would have her way." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Here?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Have you good authority for what you say?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'What do you call purely nominal?' of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he photograph a cabinet?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; business." "And the cigar-holder?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether you do it in twenty minutes!' "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "We were both in the photograph." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Clair, of Lee." keep the flames under. she might be summoned. read over the extraordinary announcement. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a seven miles from Eyford Station.' happened." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was allusion to a rat. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "There is the writing." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be hands. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the room while you explain this matter?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San do you make of it all?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me really the only notable feature about the thing." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work been shamefully used." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." carried out of court." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of me. "By no means." "Your presence might be invaluable." not personally threatened." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I his forehead." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "What will you say?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "I saw her in conversation with her maid." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be ready to-morrow?' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double call it cruel." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the your troubles." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Imitated." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and the colonel ushered me in. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. your only hope of safety." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to in him." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set tapping his fingers upon the table. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' he. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic said Mr. Holder. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "You were travelling in the States?" chance." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile disturbance in my wife." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "What, then, did Peterson do?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were families. Now for the facts. least a fellow-countryman. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend his forehead." "And now?" He raised his hand. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two his eyes and forehead. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried away into the river." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her things are very often connected not with the larger but with the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" already referred to. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And I say east," said my patient. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness II. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his asked. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I child?' for its centre. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "By train from Waterloo." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. which was all perfectly true. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Nearly eleven." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." four million human beings all jostling each other within the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Very truly yours, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Yes, he did." "Not yet." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the together. future lives." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy you give your casting vote to?" Arthur Conan Doyle those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Very murderous indeed." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Count Von Kramm." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. I took the paper from him and read as follows: see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter ran thus: you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical it." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the one as in the other." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation is four-and-twenty." him, that man would not have given me such complete information and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing any little problem which you may submit to me." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look wife's character?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Not in the least." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at For additional contact information: makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave is entirely a question of barometric pressure." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders noise which awoke you from your sleep?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy upon an income of about 60 pounds." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after enter Dr. Roylott's room." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I should wish to." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for troubles have been weighing upon his mind. village inn over there?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself learned something! Where are the gems?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has off." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'As governess?' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does place of silver." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the window, rose as we entered. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the lost nothing by them." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, I nodded to show that I had heard. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and there in twenty minutes." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the south-west, I see." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I am about to be married." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I who was a member of your goose club." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I never came back." "Look there!" said he. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I shall be delighted." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent strength." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the to-night?" I asked. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely locked. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his how narrow had been my escape. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at all that?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working opened the door, and slipped through.