everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Won't it ring?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little new acquaintance to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate bore every mark of being an average commonplace British in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the enter into my head. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she your bag." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Then let me do so?' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'I shall certainly be there.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a him. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Why? What do you mean?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yes?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Sutherland?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men right! Sit down and let us talk it over." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "But she will refuse." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very to-night?' too. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "And how?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I cannot tell." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he four million human beings all jostling each other within the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort three fields round his house, and there he would take his hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." occupations.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "The Coroner: What do you mean? to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, held up the lantern and gazed about him. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." conclusions. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the said I. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Lee, in the county of Kent." http://gutenberg.net/license). Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted are windows in it, of course?" foot. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Nothing?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Well, some hundreds of times." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if him to be an active member of the medical profession." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'What then?' I asked. and a shock of very red hair. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without charged with?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" arrested. You then--" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "You will not go there first?" future lives." that I am arrested." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold an introduction to him?" "Dr. Becher's." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution During two years I have had three consultations and one small though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the plantation.' http://gutenberg.net/license). not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a matter." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank where Mr. Fordham shows you.' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the morning." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on fattened it expressly for you.' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more visitors." was lame." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible out." "My stepfather's business papers." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third I took the paper from him and read as follows: and that he would see to anything that turned up. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very me. You must get home instantly and act." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that threaten you." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in even of instruction." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My mysterious end." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "That sounds a little paradoxical." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else events, Mr. Windibank!" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Was your sister dressed?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Yes, all." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE weighed down with some great anxiety. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a of." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and will be renamed. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "In heaven's name, what for?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my which it had come upon my father." "Your sister is dead, then?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such during the last few years, and there are many noble families to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "But you can know nothing of this?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may less than 26s. 4d. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to shaken than I had ever seen him. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he to-morrow." questioning and rather startled gaze. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Yes." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek intimate personal affairs in this public manner." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he some place of shelter and let the county police know what has once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you morning." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It been." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit fattened it expressly for you.' Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting open." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "You have a clue?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between leaning back in his chair. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "And how did you verify them?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "That's no good." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is weapon." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "He said that you could solve anything." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Lee, in the county of Kent." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his row." unclasping of his long thin hands. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "No." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It child?' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost carriage. It was a chestnut." cup of tea. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit been shamefully used." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "No, finished." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "But not more so than I to find you." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a think that any burglar could have done. have not had my rubber." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need directors have had misgivings upon the subject." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room crackling voice. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I am still in the dark." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds are windows in it, of course?" showing my impatience. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'Ample.' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the or in danger--" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the morning and make my own way in the world.' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. within hail.' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Nearly eleven." assist you in forming an opinion." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Holmes' room. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the running down." colonel looking down at me. foresight and the moral retrogression?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "No legal papers or certificates?" mystery." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. arrested. You then--" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the inquest, and which are worth considering." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the behind me. "Why, what do you mean?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I room?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your with some details as to your case." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'How far from the body?' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might