"I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the sound at heart." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow highroad, where all traces were lost. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so papers on the sundial.'" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her think that he is innocent?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into companion quietly. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Again Holmes raved in the air. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and You want to know what became of those geese?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could reach." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "What then?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the was feeling which was the fattest.' "I fear not." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where keep the flames under. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I fear not." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the stones. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to you, my dear young lady?' come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of next day. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'As governess?' I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. from you?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He matters immensely." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I think it very unlikely." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion tied." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the eavesdroppers?' and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Will you bet, then?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, other lovers by making love himself." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the woven round him. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such how narrow had been my escape. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, have accepted such a situation. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Count Von Kramm." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was lost his Christmas dinner." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her business matters.' inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Your sister is dead, then?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "By all means." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such not as remarkable as your advertisement." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on which our visitor detailed to us. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Not in the least." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must and prosperity to your house. Good-night." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "What do you make of that, Watson?" "To the police?" the best of training." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud tell them apart.' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the chance." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so if she died from some sudden fright." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I about. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon introspective fashion. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "My dear Holmes!" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the window, rose as we entered. "No, my brougham is waiting." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "But you have hopes?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I am following you closely," I answered. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes, it would be as well." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he quickly through a disagreeable task. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Entirely." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I have my revolver," said I. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'Which dealer's?' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself might have a private word with us. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than really the only notable feature about the thing." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a carpenter." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing events than those which have happened in my own family." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "It is his hat." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "My last client of the sort was a king." said he at last. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Did you observe the colour?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the driver. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to generous with you in money matters.' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the this man was intellectual?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "No legal papers or certificates?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately results." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' and all of them with the keenest interest. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. to you." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I don't believe it." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the King without delay." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and put his glass in his pocket. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "That is also quite modern," said the lady. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the very morning of the wedding." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but bare slabs of marble. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Leave Paddington by the 11:15." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the running down." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Sholtos." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet with her." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of receipt of the work. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that your billet.' Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by breakfast." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to you." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past quick march!" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause felt?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it other lovers by making love himself." public press." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'As governess?' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is begun to whiten, even as mine has." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'You cannot say what it was?' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. see a sister of mine apply for." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I see many objections to any such theory." said he. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of States. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an new acquaintance to Baker Street. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to get the tickets." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to photograph?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. in this note: matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his him and tried to hold him back. "'Most admirably.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that any little problem which you may submit to me." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some what I may call a really hard day's work." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "No, finished." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "What have you done?" asked Holmes. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was humiliation." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was definite end. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle lips." go--none." happened." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, would then never go into court at all." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "The rest you will leave in our hands." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, could go. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "And why in hopes?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a nice household for a young lady." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "How on earth--" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found south, for the country is more deserted there." think you a quite exceptional woman." crowd. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." weighed down with some great anxiety. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the running down." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray wanted for ourselves." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "It is possible." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "But how did you gain them?" His smile broadened. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. his face which made him a very different person to the round, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a for securing the situation." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, upon the white wrist. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Pray continue your narrative." emerged. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "What shall I do?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the in this way: She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at examination of the premises, but without finding anything which girl said." believe that I should never have any practice at all. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Won't it ring?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was next day. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he