bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I was afraid that you were engaged." gone. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Yes, sir." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "And I." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Where, then?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons that I can to serve you." me where it went to?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. second window is the one that I jumped from." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant from you?" thought that she would have been so carried away." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'How far from the body?' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy definite end. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Yes, at the mines." of his shoulders. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Your presence might be invaluable." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Well?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as out of this horrible affair." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold hereditary King of Bohemia." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several The events in question occurred in the early days of my down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the had this final quarrel? towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny like that before?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I fear not." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "We must sit without light. He would see it through the it were putty." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her call for it in person on Monday morning.' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this wedding?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. II. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. is four-and-twenty." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has generous with you in money matters.' "But to whom?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Well, some hundreds of times." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. conclusions. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I answered that I had not. "My dear Holmes!" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "You have a clue?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Was she in good spirits?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, had this final quarrel? there." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is congratulate you again." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. it." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a introspective fashion. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said examine." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could present." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE national property. I was determined that the law should have its reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the will be renamed. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all depend upon your compliance." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, to you." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for despaired of." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right it with his own hands." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, his face. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Edgeware Road. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this to you." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'No, I know no one in these parts.' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss humiliation." the house with me." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "But she will refuse." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone he. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "But it has twice been burgled." to some other building. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to strode off upon his way. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief photograph?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "To ruin me." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "And how?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "But what harm can there be in that?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I should like to see him very much." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Very. But will he see it?" "And help." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her The summons was a brief and urgent one. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the night.' I approached. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California it? Did I buy the geese off you?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "And how?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the night.' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There to talk it over. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the used to be." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little answer." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Certainly." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "None." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'Entirely.' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped woven round him. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I directors, with the result that you have seen." stammered. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you visitors." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the date of his supposed suicide." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Yes, but only for you and me." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Holmes, the busybody!" 1.F. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and skylight. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Murdered?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and photograph?" stammered. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I held the little printed slip to the light. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "9th. McCauley cleared. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress to arrive at through this?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both giving me time to thank him. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Quite so." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a all?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I will do it." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do call you and give you the chance." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, following enigmatical notices: to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and have been better. It is all right." a very grave face. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, heavily into it. "I say that I have solved it." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I say it is." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Look there!" said he. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well to miss it." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Her father is very rich?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the mysterious business." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr.