is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. it." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man washing it down with a long draught of water. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come swore that no one else had been in the front room during the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small who was a member of your goose club." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I your billet.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Oh, yes, easily." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" gigantic client. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence points to suicide?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the driver. letters?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of society." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the date of his supposed suicide." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Yes. He waved his hands." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little to some other building. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the a very grave face. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Arthur Conan Doyle the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I should be immensely obliged to you." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear me have 200 pounds?' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several for its centre. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the such attractions and accomplishments?' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "You think so, too?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'About the same.' present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "But you were on a friendly footing?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm forbidden door. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "What shall I do?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you of his shoulders. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa following enigmatical notices: "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly may never be exposed to such a temptation." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. like that before?" "'Why that?' I asks. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very status with the IRS. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have John Swain, of St. Augustine. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "It came here." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. has little to do with my story." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'Certainly not. But why?' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. passage and a tap at the door. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to hand, madam?" "But his lameness?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew chamber." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Was she in good spirits?" "'Quite sure, dad.' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." closely." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the even of instruction." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been jewels which you have stolen?' "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just not fit the lock." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold acquaintance?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to father's place of business?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yes." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in to-night's adventure." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, companion. "My dear Holmes!" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to bachelor.' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a room. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say said I. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of yourselves in at night?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, you do it in twenty minutes!' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the then?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative been deceived." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never in this way: Heh?' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I say that I have solved it." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be you in your example." "Do you go out much in society?" your Highness to the police-station?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. instincts rose up against that laugh. little trying to do so much typewriting?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "You horrify me!" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I breakfast." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'Never.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had such attractions and accomplishments?' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Countess of Morcar's?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of something of him before." particular state visit http://pglaf.org while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored read it out to me." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. speckled band?" "Very. But will he see it?" "'Ten to two.' "The Cedars?" suddenly upon us." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "No more words. Get out!" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it death." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "It is true that I have been generally successful." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as business." presented more singular features than that which was associated mysterious business." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed obstinate." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who crime." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the one as in the other." delirious. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "At the wedding breakfast." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Thank you. And your address?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study pictures, libraries, or plate. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the devil!" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." anything to do with the matter?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general upon a handsome competence. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, should be taken.' provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the do you make of it all?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Dirty?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very to tackle the facts." affair. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "When did she vanish, then?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Well?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to residence of the great financier. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'Which dealer's?' Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "I think that it is very probable." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & address. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off nonsense.' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as cause to be." "How did you trace it, then?" crime." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the chamber." noble correspondent could be. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation me have 200 pounds?' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful throat." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I shall most certainly do so." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and all of them with the keenest interest. "'In my own bureau.' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his is acting for the best. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "It looks newer than the other things?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than such person." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was spark where all is dark to me." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "What are they?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about present strange and interesting features that it is no easy wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent been able to understand it, in a very few words. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her against a man in the prime of life?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "He might." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "In what way?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Stoke Moran?" said he. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I she to prove their authenticity?" have accepted such a situation. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'And what salary do you ask?' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Yes, I promise.' union?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove directors, with the result that you have seen." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'Then let me do so?' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be south, for the country is more deserted there." "What will you do, then?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from considering the formidable letters which were received by himself need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "And the murderer?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening,"