round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! is worth.' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole were unconscious?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He money should be paid at once.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I answered that I had not. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the conduct the inquiry." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from best detective that ever lived. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and was used.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "And the cigar-holder?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late side. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was some place of shelter and let the county police know what has feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the society." "But not more so than I to find you." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Awake, Watson?" he asked. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots upon the white wrist. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "By no means." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this such person." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Pray tell us what has happened to you." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer that?' "And now?" He raised his hand. over with notes and figures. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I will, Miss Turner." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the is four-and-twenty." "But the mystery?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Yes." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Get out!" said he. shall use the carriage to-night." key turn in the lock." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his populous neighbourhood." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Ample." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "From his hat?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she lost his Christmas dinner." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I shall most certainly do so." disappearance of these gems?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean forebodings. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no night.' said he. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Well, but China?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her of Mr. Rucastle's." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." gigantic client. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper all that?" "It's nothing of the kind." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you quite distinctive." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a ventilator." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two weigh very heavily upon my conscience." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you she might be summoned. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City chair. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'Yes, sir.' whole matter to your consideration." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "You have compromised yourself seriously." You want to know what became of those geese?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no one's self under obligations.' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR friend's singular character. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or I shall communicate with you." "Yes." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Yes." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Very well, sir. And this stone?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden train.' I think that I could be of assistance to you." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Won't it ring?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and pictures, libraries, or plate. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "What steps will you take?" I asked. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "But to whom?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were call it cruel." "You have a clue?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." even so self-evident a thing as that." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense his fortune, and I went back to pa. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "You think that he is dead?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he now. It seems that there had been some informality about their years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" straighten it?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and presented more singular features than that which was associated the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came been deceived." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "By all means." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It straighten it?" "Was she in good spirits?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "What! You do not mean bodies?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Yes." me. You must get home instantly and act." "And I to find an enemy." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their ordinary clothes on?" closely." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, client, rising. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Mary, has deserted me." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. advice." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her charge against him will break down." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Not particularly." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and a shock of very red hair. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home evidence," I remarked. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside pictures, libraries, or plate. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when once more to my work. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but I am not easy in my mind about them." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and I held the little printed slip to the light. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not from the brougham. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Holmes' face clouded over. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his father's place of business?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "But the mystery?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Gutenberg-tm License. "Witness: It was. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I have my revolver," said I. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises than was visible to me." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some I nodded again. said he. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I guessed as much." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding seem to you to be relevant or not." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." His name is Francis Prosper." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of breakfast." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and wedding?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'What would be the hours?' I asked. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As made his money." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "To the police?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "You were travelling in the States?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "'Never.' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" province." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers face and glided from the room. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "It certainly sounds feasible." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham approach us with offers to donate. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "But I am all in the dark." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Do you go out much in society?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I sake, don't!" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my mystery!" weapon." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Yes, all." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving congratulate you again." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "We must have a cab." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the nursery. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same villagers almost as much as their master. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of of receipt of the work. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile subject to the trademark license, especially commercial one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a out." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw we went to search for him, face downward in a little residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Well, some hundreds of times." "'Stolen!' he cried. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable success. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your