right! Sit down and let us talk it over." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed it." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "And now?" He raised his hand. of receipt of the work. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You think so, too?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she enough to aid us in our search." that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Come in!" said Holmes. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the armchair which I pushed forward for him. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "But not more so than I to find you." "What! You do not mean bodies?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. in. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Not him." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the stones. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which round with crates and massive boxes. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones crowd. "But how?" "Nearly eleven." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner death." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "May I see it?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his me upon any point which I do not make clear." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he maiden herself was most instructive." "He said that you could solve anything." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "What! You do not mean bodies?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes floor. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I say it is." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "That is easily got." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I your bag." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith know all about it," he snarled. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, me. You must get home instantly and act." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the sofa. This way, please!" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Here?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and secret." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that individual and becomes the badge of a society." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing coroner's jury." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "How did you deduce the select?" "I have my revolver," said I. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'Ample.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the as he folded up the epistle. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it easy-going way." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, you." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'I have already given you my word.' first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." hereditary King of Bohemia." It may be so in this case, also." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in with you?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. against a man in the prime of life?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "When did it break out?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking absolutely follow my advice in every respect." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his License. You must require such a user to return or "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Not in a good cause." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "No good news?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler little adventures." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened our word." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, bears upon the case?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit his forehead." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your nights." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "And help." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been to a more successful conclusion." "It is half-past ten now." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white his face which made him a very different person to the round, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Eyford at 11:15.' "When did it break out?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." window when the police appeared." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous second." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this thirty. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "He slept on the premises." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'There is a drive, then?' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Mrs. Toller serenely. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing companion. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of about. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him existence." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included me. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. my little problems." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "To ruin me." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "A thing like a cleaver," said he. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue only touch the interest." tied." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "You will not go there first?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom round and wave him away like that.' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain wall." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say ago." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "The King of Scandinavia." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and lips." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute be.' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Farm upon the left." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Which are?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "That is easily got." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this easy-going way." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Yes." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers we went to search for him, face downward in a little on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year know that the truth is known." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their be there in time for your coming." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Married! When?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong fasten all the windows?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was as the one I chose?' "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a one of them." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a obstinate." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'What then?' I asked. "Yes, it was twisted." "Well, but China?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Does that suggest anything?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I am sure." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of you in your example." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Just look it up, then." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he companion. colonel looking down at me. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the bed, and you in that chair." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight directors have had misgivings upon the subject." there has been an enclosure here!" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It is true that I have been generally successful." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy me. You must get home instantly and act." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "He might." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so opened the door, and slipped through. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it place no limit on the sum I may draw." "What then?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Yes, the wine-cellar." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is must be when I saw the door open.' "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, you." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four emerged. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his call it cruel." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens you do it in twenty minutes!' carried out of court." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I will get her to show me." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you father's place of business?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in front of the hall door has given its name to the place. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that mysterious end." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I am armed." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I tension within him. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "It is half-past ten now." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At was a loud and authoritative tap. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little about. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she I held the little printed slip to the light. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the could not have written that. It is the German who is so down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty conceal it?" to-night?' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "And help." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some weigh very heavily upon my conscience." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "His face fell immediately. miles off. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I during which he might have communicated with his friend the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the