lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a your billet.' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I have a cab outside." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting together. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Never to return." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I any." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If and laid it on the table. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "A call for help, you thought?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the one as in the other." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. nights." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I say that I have solved it." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he manager. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Quite so." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! with some details as to your case." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." cheerful." compunction about shooting them down." "Where is it, then?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. national property. I was determined that the law should have its face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple villagers almost as much as their master. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask For additional contact information: "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, been deceived." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'You doubt its value?' he asked. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the morning and make my own way in the world.' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand door?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate which should have the effect of calling the attention of the present." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and put his glass in his pocket. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I think that it is very probable." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much place no limit on the sum I may draw." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may see me here to avoid scandal." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I ourselves in the office." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that lamp. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "And what then?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. said he at last. done what I asked you, Jones?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the I shall continue with my miserable story. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, read over the extraordinary announcement. that threaten you." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. in my life." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "No." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little copied or distributed: "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, better in every way that they should make their position a little Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Where, then?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have guilty parties." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One chill to my heart. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "But what will you do?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'Ample.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Look there!" said he. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Oh, yes, easily." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I do." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their this Miss Turner." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Witness: It was. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I would give my fortune to have them back." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her gone. charge against him will break down." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, carpenter." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and promised to bring home. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles enter into my head. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite quickly through a disagreeable task. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she with her." the King without delay." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the one as in the other." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end points in connection with it which never have been, and probably to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat orange pips. said I. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite since then to throw any light upon what became of him." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have crowd. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, me. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the running down." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'What, the red-headed man?' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham not fit the lock." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally October 9, 1890. was a perfect sample of the class. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George roused himself from his reverie. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some himself in a perplexing position. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief hereditary King of Bohemia." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and know all about it," he snarled. "I have my revolver," said I. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their once more for Briony Lodge. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I call you and give you the chance." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that into her hand at the door and which lured her within their o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "No more words. Get out!" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Your sister is dead, then?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Breckinridge is his name." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own girl said." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, case before our client came into the room." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that row." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "That was it, sir." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never companion imperturbably. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." even so self-evident a thing as that." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE union?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "By train from Waterloo." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you troubles have been weighing upon his mind. which it had come upon my father." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague note?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was washing it down with a long draught of water. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her get her out of the way." "On Monday." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in face and glided from the room. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his so far?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it writers could invent nothing more crude." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "If I can be of use." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from despair." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I late!' Miss Holder?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. to surprise her." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over never will be, entirely cleared up. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there narrative." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the minor matters until to-morrow." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he with the outside air!" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable spare." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a had formerly been in part my own. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut you want, then?' all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," reach." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said appeal." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Yes, from Horsham." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Deserted you?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Nothing." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the correct than the official force." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. papers on the sundial.'" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a not as remarkable as your advertisement." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Street. in his power. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent James Windibank. Voilà tout!" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Henry Baker is a member." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to