took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that sake, don't!" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Doctor, of the paper and the date." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point me have 200 pounds?' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest appeared upon the scene." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Precisely so. But how--" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Just look it up, then." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I am all attention, madam." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no photograph?" and the colonel ushered me in. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see do.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." a monotonous occupation." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "What shall I do?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham asked. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for or other trace. But how on earth--" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Where, then, is my wife?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It if only as a check to my own memory." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a until night should bring an explanation. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, remarked. "Was she in good spirits?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "On the contrary, this is the right side." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from was the fact that his father should, according to his account, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more sit on the left-hand side of the driver." business." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "The decline of his fortunes, then?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy woman." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the fluttered off among the others. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Yes, sir." instincts rose up against that laugh. train.' the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt she might be summoned. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "You have carte blanche." "And how?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Why? What do you mean?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment be best to do. done what I asked you, Jones?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "You are certainly joking, Holmes." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "What will you do, then?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so that I may have something better before very many minutes are "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, outside." "No, thank goodness, she did not." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the matter." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit was already answered. weighed down with some great anxiety. really the only notable feature about the thing." drawing your inferences." shall not find me ungrateful." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling during that time.' 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" are, I think, all that we need." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in read over the extraordinary announcement. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her green of the new foliage. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The brandy and water within his reach. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who this truth that in these little records of our cases which you something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I am still in the dark." which we had just quitted. her also." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very door?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the gone. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he leave you to your papers for a little." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third one else, I think." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "We have tried and failed." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Of what?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower You can understand that this register and diary may implicate practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the that there was nothing in it, after all." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Texas, I think." which our visitor detailed to us. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the shoulder; "he's all right." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were confronted him. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "To ruin me." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "The best possible." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads what these perils are?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty man. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I have hopes." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Yes, certainly." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Sholtos." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "What then?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "At half-wages, in fact." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "And is that all?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life had a long day." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "But his left-handedness." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." these bleak autumnal evenings." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies outside." intrusion of other matters." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "An enemy?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could this poor creature." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster detained." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as tell me that you intended to go into harness." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an it." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a tapping his fingers upon the table. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable that I am arrested." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly trying to your nerves." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon with some details as to your case." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. matters immensely." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "And you can do nothing until then?" "Was she in good spirits?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or geese which you supplied to the Alpha." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, know what is wrong with it.' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of in one or two places in England?' reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London to his chemical studies. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Quite so. She has her freedom." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "What do you make of that, Watson?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could at my remark. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Was she in good spirits?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Countess of Morcar's?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently relief. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Again Holmes raved in the air. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are to go into your room and bar your shutters?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. over part of the map. "What do you read?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most bachelor.' some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she such person." "That is easily got." enough to aid us in our search." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less questionable one." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. events, Mr. Windibank!" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some wife's character?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the very morning of my second wedding." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' answered with a sidelong glance. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "You saw the ventilator, too?" secret." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad have one." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots you." "Entirely." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." that into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise he bowed and left the room without another word. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had you." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope was once confined in the cab my mission was practically your billet.' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I should like to see him very much." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for locked. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the armchair which I pushed forward for him. did not hear it also.' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No think that any burglar could have done. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by absorbing." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "It was." "And I." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose,