listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have again, where I was soon asleep. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but indeed which he could not unravel. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I even so self-evident a thing as that." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Then how many are there?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "My dear Holmes!" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon feature." conduct the inquiry." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Again Holmes raved in the air. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my of note-paper. It read in this fashion: my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make handed it to him. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are individual and becomes the badge of a society." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building distance from the station, and there we found the young lady future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to room. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." returned to France?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave dates and names. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'A dozen yards or so.' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire tapping his fingers upon the table. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was outbreak?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless confronted him. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Seven!" I answered. "Absolutely none." residence of the great financier. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I may never be exposed to such a temptation." returned to France?" the one as in the other." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady you in yours." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "But how could you guess what the motive was?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man round with crates and massive boxes. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "By no means." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Pope's Court. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "In what way?" asked Holmes. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' in a very precise fashion." to some other building. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Very much so." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. never will be, entirely cleared up. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and which our visitor detailed to us. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "So it appears." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is papers must be those that are destroyed.' standing smiling on the door-step. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered comes from the middle window." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the of." became a certainty. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, outside. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. my special province." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "But his left-handedness." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained second." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are you in yours." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is presented which may be striking and bizarre without being you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of went to the Alpha were town bred." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my habit of advancing money.' "'What then?' I asked. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the despaired of." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he at once, for I have only half an hour." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one in his hands." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Yes." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "In answer to an advertisement." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "No legal papers or certificates?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself client, rising. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "And Miss Sutherland?" "We must have a cab." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really companion quietly. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good of his shoulders. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his persecution?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Bought." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked legal crime." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel peculiar to him. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "A thing like a cleaver," said he. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive despair." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into papers." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "ARAT," I read. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all something of him before." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Entirely." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by to you." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a people don't know." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." my friend's incisive reasoning. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Farm upon the left." ventilator." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "No?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Frequently." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, me what he had done with the three missing stones. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his families. Now for the facts. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." a room. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into one of the states of the Union." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "How on earth--" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in public press." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty rooms." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Farm upon the left." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "And I say east," said my patient. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the was it brought him the coronet? "Was she in good spirits?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Yes, he did." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "And you thought he was pulled back?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the very letters. But what is this written above them?' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which that I can to serve you." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "And Irene Adler?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "And when will you call?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the very morning of the wedding." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me best detective that ever lived. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "By train from Waterloo." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Very much so." you for a few hours?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Were they all fastened this morning?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "About a month then." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the driver. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "No, I think that I'll take it." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. to talk it over. know all about it," he snarled. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case have I gained?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' advice." was keenly on my guard against him. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "My photograph." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he do you make of it all?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether second." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "What do you mean?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. your Highness to the police-station?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "ARAT," I read. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Precisely." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was quickly through a disagreeable task. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then horse could go." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I came to find a friend." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, introspective fashion. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of had this final quarrel? southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper jewels which you have stolen?' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." man. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at clanging. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then depend upon my doing so.' electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "And why?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry companion. and effective." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "No, I think that I'll take it." disappearance of these gems?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which throat." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up him to be an active member of the medical profession." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year careless servant girl?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Oh, no.' handed it to him. paper in the air. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in said he. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the coronet at all injured?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no fatally injured? discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers It may be so in this case, also." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, girl said." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to