unkempt, staring out at me. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "What! a murderous attack?" Watson," he said cordially. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is himself to hunt down. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'Then let me do so?' eat it." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over even of instruction." "But who is he?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently that he will be back before evening." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your cheerful." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free to miss it." definite end. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. mystery." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could than was visible to me." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "He disappeared so suddenly." cup of tea. here." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Come in!" said he. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, head. So long, then!" hardly wander." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I am following you closely," I answered. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "But you have hopes?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing very old mansion. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. on re-entering her father's house?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Holmes rather sternly. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "And why?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her confronted him. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Very well, sir. And this stone?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I came to find a friend." "Of what?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and national property. I was determined that the law should have its and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Married! When?" Serpentine Avenue. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I have solved it." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note most interesting one." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "None." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Yes, he did." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to nights." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'What are you doing there?' he asked. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and article?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the stones. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "It is possible." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "And now?" He raised his hand. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door this remarkable episode. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" congenial hunt. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "But she could not love him." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life think, you have already met." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the congratulate you again." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside outside. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an straightened it out again. hopeless attempt at recovering them." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you one else, I think." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence be.' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to is a common subject for conversation. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. client, rising. "My private note-paper." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something was already answered. My friend smiled. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "But it has twice been burgled." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" galvanised. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "The knees of his trousers." wall." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Thank you. And your address?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached my secret was safe in his possession. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now chamber." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing girl said." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious gone before you can get him to hospital." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "It is to him that this trophy belongs." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and him!" until night should bring an explanation. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Eyford at 11:15.' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Which dealer's?' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I was mad--insane." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such examination of the premises, but without finding anything which burst out into a roar of laughter. once more. "We must have a cab." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to-night's adventure." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for chambers. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely remarked. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "No good news?" dead, shall be safe with us." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached said I. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right affair. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four him!" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time prisoner's face. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said coat-tails." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is empty. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Proceed, then." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The doctor?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "But you can know nothing of this?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, laugh and put his lips to my ear. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback in this note: before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the of." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "And is that all?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must during which he might have communicated with his friend the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "So I am. Very much so." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that go from here to the Strand." "I would pay ten." "By no means." do.' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE me. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached thought that she would have been so carried away." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could troubles have been weighing upon his mind. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Stolen, then." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "And is that all?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was seven miles from Eyford Station.' we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is have an American origin." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that wife's character?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I During two years I have had three consultations and one small they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings written, and locked the door of the office after me. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need bill, which interests me deeply." London for the present?" "Get out!" said he. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the tragedy. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in ashen face. "I cannot think." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow to a light-house. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "That was it, sir." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the some water from a caraffe. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "No." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of wanted for ourselves." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your not within a twentieth part of the market price." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Will you go?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been neither fascinating nor artistic." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what speckled band?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows