among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life man. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his enter into my head. reach." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord thirty. "I am in hopes that she does." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and only touch the interest." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless fishes. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. highroad, where all traces were lost. remarked. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Yes, at the mines." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you some city in a dream. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Well, some hundreds of times." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Is he quiet?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "None." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, in a friendly supper." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he opened a pocket-book and took out a note. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A himself to hunt down. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Won't it ring?" not personally threatened." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'Very good.' delighted to hear it," he said. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I am all attention, madam." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you writing, and yet I know it well." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "It came here." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "We were both in the photograph." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "To an end?" shall use the carriage to-night." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in at once, for I have only half an hour." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him business matters.' the dangers which encompass me." in. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very shaken than I had ever seen him. you, my dear young lady?' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "And how?" "'You cannot say what it was?' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between when you have done it." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the London for the present?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated as yours." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "What then?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was father's place of business?" brandy and water within his reach. strength." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has peculiar to him. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait be sorry for having acted so harshly." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, business at Coburg Square is serious." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, was it brought him the coronet? and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' vanished into the darkness. with some details as to your case." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "You were travelling in the States?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "In the cells." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "What! You do not mean bodies?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." more solid." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "If so, much may have happened between." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to main points of my analysis." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "In what way?" asked Holmes. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' visitors." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his thought that she would have been so carried away." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Ample.' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "No good news?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but to-night." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and and have this put in the evening papers." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our appointment with me for six o'clock?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but The King stared at him in amazement. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third individual and becomes the badge of a society." any more." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "On the contrary, this is the right side." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'And the work?' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which 'please.'" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is of note-paper. It read in this fashion: compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that fuss that is made over them." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Pray continue your narrative." bedroom door." careless servant girl?" the bed, and you in that chair." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "What can you not understand?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, was feeling which was the fattest.' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily advice." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty and looked back. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "How did you deduce the select?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a even of instruction." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "No, thank goodness, she did not." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I came to find a friend." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Why, what do you mean?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men himself in a perplexing position. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "The landlord of the Alpha." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. all?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "The vanishing of the lady." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in our word." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned disappearance of the bride.'" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. in a very precise fashion." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has overpowering excitement and concern. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "And who is her maid?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Count Von Kramm." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "My last client of the sort was a king." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I was sure that I might rely on you." emerged. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely heavy and sharp instrument." showing my impatience. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Never." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he companion imperturbably. who was a member of your goose club." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "What do you make of that, Watson?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "On your arm?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I do." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "My own seal." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from out of this horrible affair." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." house for five minutes.' lamp. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly lamp in his hand. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into this as likely?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I newspaper selections." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My DISSOLVED. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he fled together." annoyance, but no jest. Foundation as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their but preventing her from injuring another. my little problems." "Look there!" said he. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Watson," he said cordially. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to way in everything. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which indeed happy." asked. Pope's Court. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious heavy and sharp instrument." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked fish-monger and a tide-waiter." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do to talk it over. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to go--none." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Yes. He waved his hands." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and a shock of very red hair. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. were new raised from a basin. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I am still in the dark." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine of note-paper. It read in this fashion: to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I was mad--insane." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of held up the lantern and gazed about him. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant to his chemical studies. cigars in their mouths. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Where could I find him?' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' situation." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with