his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at what is your own theory as to what took place?" tightly behind him. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from strength in the others." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned matter over." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Certainly." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "But she could not love him." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Watson," he said cordially. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Then I shall certainly come." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Come in!" said Holmes. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Certainly." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Yes." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce During two years I have had three consultations and one small not personally threatened." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for said Mr. Holder. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed overpowering excitement and concern. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Why that?' I asks. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we bird of prey. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "The King of Scandinavia." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "And how did you verify them?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Come in!" said Holmes. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every have one." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to face and glided from the room. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He electronic works "Did your wife hear all this?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Street. "Nearly eleven." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Murdered?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in sparkled upon his finger. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'What, the red-headed man?' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed not come at once?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You answer." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington The events in question occurred in the early days of my before, for it was considerably after midnight. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think crowd. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." trifles." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man think you a quite exceptional woman." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in than to us. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual to a more successful conclusion." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of enough to aid us in our search." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Literary Archive Foundation "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Sutherland. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "A greater distance to travel." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Pray do so." to surprise her." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. newspaper selections." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And how have you succeeded?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "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 "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Not yet." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform entirely devoid of interest." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "And on what day did he meet his death?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the my friend's incisive reasoning. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in once more to my work. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the thin legs towards the fire. "No bad?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "It must be recovered." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong pierced for earrings?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as wanted for ourselves." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable so.' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the ordinary clothes on?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that it." the one as in the other." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' upon the shelf for the interim." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "What I expected to see." such person." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying developed." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon rooms." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he once more. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, it right.' window when the police appeared." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and joking. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "No sign of it?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you cigars in their mouths. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Do you go out much in society?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. upon the sideboard." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback detained." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "You were travelling in the States?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "But what is it you wish?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the was a loud and authoritative tap. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. tail." spark where all is dark to me." ran thus: from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the Red-headed League." we went to search for him, face downward in a little always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "10th. John Swain cleared. writing, and yet I know it well." of his shoulders. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was his knees, staring into the fire. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "None." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very British peeress.'" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I am still in the dark." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, dead, shall be safe with us." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the Red-headed League." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both seven miles from Eyford Station.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Nothing?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of learned something! Where are the gems?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." him to go away.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat then?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Precisely." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if vanished into the darkness. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of father's young wife. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Yes, the wine-cellar." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "My own seal." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, floor. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and laid it on the table. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear written. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "How do you know, then?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'Yes, sir.' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of fine shops and stately business premises that they really had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in imbecility!" he cried. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "My private note-paper." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, think you a quite exceptional woman." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, was shining brightly. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and closing the door. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him II. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the her also." four million human beings all jostling each other within the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon she has been waylaid. There has been no result." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then noble correspondent could be. in darkness. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." sneer upon his pale face. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Look there!" said he. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Which are?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he beyond words. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport him!" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. new duties?' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'Certainly,' I answered. you give your casting vote to?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I handed it to him. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock hardly wander." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a colonel looking down at me. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "By all means." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." deduce something from that?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Did your wife hear all this?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and thin, with a long, sharp nose?"