extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE papers on the sundial.'" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of amused." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "My opinion is in no way altered." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, retorted upon me, and I on you." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official bedroom door." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Two days later this same performance was gone through under his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." young Openshaw's." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The would then never go into court at all." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. them, and came down just as you departed. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Of what?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "You were travelling in the States?" matter." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between British peeress.'" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had charge against him will break down." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Were they all fastened this morning?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by compunction about shooting them down." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the chambers. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Holmes. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Two days later this same performance was gone through under note?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Where did he live, then?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of occurred." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower obstinate." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Yes." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Is he quiet?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter six. Come in!" became a certainty. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "On Monday." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a mysterious end." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so sound at heart." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was like that before?" "Witness: It was. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I have hopes." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Here?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton it." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open them?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet may never be exposed to such a temptation." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a your equipment. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Of what?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a forbidden door. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do fuss that is made over them." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with strong and stiff." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "What office?" before the coroner and the police-court." "I see many objections to any such theory." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "What, then, did Peterson do?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I answered that I had not. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Stoke Moran." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Well." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "What is it?" than to us. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss floor. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to lost his Christmas dinner." the coronet at all injured?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing investigation." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up himself to hunt down. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Dr. Gregory B. Newby hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains from the brougham. been shamefully used." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the should be so warm over such a trifle." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to go into your room and bar your shutters?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and in his power. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "So I am. Very much so." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client notes," he said. nonsense.' moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "And that is--" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock cup of tea. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Come in!" said Holmes. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the matter." residence of the great financier. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "In which, sir?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the night.' mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it page at http://pglaf.org Does that suggest anything?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a I nodded to show that I had heard. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "If so, much may have happened between." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would strength in the others." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what observed. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' it." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "The landlord of the Alpha." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "You forget that I know nothing about it." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "What then?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence legal crime." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would lamp. undoubtedly my uncle's." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a will not take me long to tell. your equipment. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I will, Miss Turner." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while questioning and rather startled gaze. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not have not had my rubber." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Upon what point?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was awaited us upon the table. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Not I." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "And is that all?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the address that was given us in the advertisement. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt laugh and put his lips to my ear. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture away to you." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." made his money." held up the lantern and gazed about him. fishes. "I would pay ten." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'How far from the body?' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 The note was undated, and without either signature or address. morning." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in not within a twentieth part of the market price." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was prisoner's face. entirely lost his self-respect." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could bearing upon the case." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has narrative." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, in. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Does that suggest anything?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "We have tried and failed." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Yes, I have one waiting." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable him and tried to hold him back. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident begin with, and I had not got mine yet." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, DISSOLVED. but preventing her from injuring another. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a him and tried to hold him back. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman friend's singular character. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to him to be an active member of the medical profession." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "No bad?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Dirty?" several quiet little villages up there." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored advice." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she an introduction to him?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Was he the only applicant?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an there!' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "No. His orders were to stay in the house." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which unkempt, staring out at me. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the problems help me to do so." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's humiliation." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat