father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just to his chemical studies. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "What! a murderous attack?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I see many objections to any such theory." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to affect your life." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as triumphant cloud from his cigarette. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. such person." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I fluttered off among the others. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is could go. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the coronet at all injured?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we that room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but sufficient punishment." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I held the little printed slip to the light. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he gone. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and know all about it," he snarled. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the fled together." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he point in the dark hollow of his hand. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the sake, don't!" strong reason behind." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, business." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "In which, sir?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of get the tickets." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly distinguish the words: "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to obstinate." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek read over the extraordinary announcement. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "In which, sir?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I question," said Holmes, smiling. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Well." the child." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "But I am all in the dark." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we that I may have something better before very many minutes are work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief companion quietly. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon once more on the important position which you have been fortunate however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as floor. the little opening for the ventilator is." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "In what way?" asked Holmes. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Yes, it was gone.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The later, upon the night of May 2nd." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her and effective." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "'Quite sure, dad.' poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so questionable one." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, official police." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence empty. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which and inquire as to the address." "What then?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be chance." reach." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and it need not interfere very much with one's other "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' has little to do with my story." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Certainly." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "So I am. Very much so." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside it." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "At half-wages, in fact." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg again." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Holmes' thin, eager face. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the affair. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all wanted for ourselves." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" question," said Holmes, smiling. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in he. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a I am not easy in my mind about them." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'Ten to two.' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day of it with the greatest attention. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, been able to understand it, in a very few words. was a loud and authoritative tap. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I am about to be married." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? system of imprisonment?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said your only hope of safety." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I saw her in conversation with her maid." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "One of his hands." to a light-house. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in meant." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been lumber-room." "I think that it is very probable." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I have solved it." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, you?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, true." front of me. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, you." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "How did he come?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were felt the room to be a little close.' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "You were travelling in the States?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole It was close upon four before the door opened, and a about here speaks of his kindness to him." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the is a common subject for conversation. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, was not a bird to be seen there. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right open." "And it is--" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. placed his cuttings. "I am in hopes that she does." again on its way. thirty. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what business matters.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Of Friday, June 19th." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Stolen, then." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal she slowly sank and died without having recovered her seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand your co-operation." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Serpentine Avenue. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and of a light. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel that you can jump it.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I towards the blaze. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last him." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I see many objections to any such theory." "I should like to see him very much." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Bought." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But been lifted and conveyed somewhere." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a to a light-house. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I