evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Then I am your man." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Texas, I think." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a hard-headed British jury." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Not him." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw easy-going way." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers was once confined in the cab my mission was practically room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'Where to?' which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; business in the City. She little knew what. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, it means?" guilty parties." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "I see many objections to any such theory." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and have this put in the evening papers." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock individual and becomes the badge of a society." hour." room. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe breakfast." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past was it brought him the coronet? Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "But she could not love him." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one me what he had done with the three missing stones. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it to have been novel and of interest." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so matter." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no The King stared at him in amazement. bled considerably." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It case-book, which he consulted. "Witness: Nothing definite. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "And how did you verify them?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid dead, shall be safe with us." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly signal between you and your father? "You will not go there first?" sneer upon his pale face. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips them?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the inquest, and which are worth considering." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "How did he come?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" fire. You quite follow me?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "In which, sir?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Yes, sir." clang of the bell. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "And sit in the dark?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a which our visitor detailed to us. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "My dear Holmes!" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Why serious?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask as yours." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the bird I ate is country bred." habit of advancing money.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, of." "Well, but China?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the hurried away. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the stable lane now." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most tension within him. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as digesting their breakfasts at home." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "No bad?" to arrive at through this?" enter into my head. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I answered that I had not. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Stolen." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. 11:15.' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate thirty. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to some terrible trap for her." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of present." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I assure you that I am in your hands." towards the blaze. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Not particularly." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in entirely devoid of interest." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "My dear Holmes!" "And now?" He raised his hand. in this way: there were so many in the whole country as were brought together self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a on re-entering her father's house?" keep the flames under. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a name is different." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I shall most certainly do so." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had know all about it," he snarled. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. next day. one else, I think." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal himself to hunt down. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE breakfast?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by shadow pass over his face as I spoke. o'clock is it?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Was the window open?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, death." "Game for a morning drive?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the stable lane now." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was me what he had done with the three missing stones. already referred to. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. if only as a check to my own memory." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers delighted to hear it," he said. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Have you good authority for what you say?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from in one or two places in England?' "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Not yet." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most your most interesting statement." conceal it?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. opportunities to fix the problem. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me prepare for the new role I have to play." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! unprofitable." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small said I. License. You must require such a user to return or "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is round and wave him away like that.' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, drove away. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are this truth that in these little records of our cases which you and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "He is dead," cried several voices. question. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a McCarthy's innocence. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down presented more singular features than that which was associated was the fact that his father should, according to his account, whereabouts. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Did you become engaged then?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'Is purely nominal.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all my room." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and no precautions can guard against." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Two days later this same performance was gone through under springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where him to go away.' Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Yes, certainly." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "That sounds a little paradoxical." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might to arrive at through this?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the to-morrow." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the hour." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you system of imprisonment?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "What?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I am still in the dark." "He is still with you, I presume?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at giving me time to thank him. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the people don't know." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Bought." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. you understand?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to was a perfect sample of the class. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his out." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and wall." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you seven miles from Eyford Station.' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "No, distinctly professional." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he death." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Can I be of assistance?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "We were both in the photograph." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is from the brougham. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." which it had come upon my father." "I came to find a friend." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "On the contrary, this is the right side." best detective that ever lived. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age as he remarks, very much against the son." to tackle the facts." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a narrative." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?"