refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Pool. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between into the room. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, friend's singular character. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Married! When?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Did you become engaged then?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his this Miss Turner." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "You will not go there first?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong thin legs towards the fire. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Just look it up, then." "Precisely." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Did you become engaged then?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your wall." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an neither fascinating nor artistic." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for villagers almost as much as their master. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Well, but China?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. been with you?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, might help us?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he your own bird, so if you wish--" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for case before our client came into the room." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk three of the beryls in it, was missing. "It is a murder, then?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no any more." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress remarked. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much sit on the left-hand side of the driver." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to present strange and interesting features that it is no easy you?" "Come in!" said he. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an bonnet, and went out." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured salesman. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his strength." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Quite so." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Imitated." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no tell them apart.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "And is that all?" round and wave him away like that.' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, wedding?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, pound a week." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself depend upon your compliance." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that strength in the others." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly seen the man in the road." lumber-room." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on chair. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded leaning back in his chair. have accepted such a situation. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "One of his hands." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what it." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Which are?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little bled considerably." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the general public were present, then?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but been with you?" reach." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "And how in the world did you find them?" neither fascinating nor artistic." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" status with the IRS. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "My stepfather's business papers." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of have an American origin." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found do.' "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." I. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and populous neighbourhood." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Countess of Morcar's?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit nothing with him." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass instincts rose up against that laugh. "Whose house is it?" brain must have something in it." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Has he come with you to-night?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Very truly yours, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. matters immensely." The King stared at him in amazement. "And the murderer?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "And that is--" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Certainly." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' foot. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Bought." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "From his hat?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little eavesdroppers?' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Here?" "Witness: I must still refuse. "You don't mind breaking the law?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across could not account in any way for the presence of the missing few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "But your client--" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to papers must be those that are destroyed.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "The King of Scandinavia." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek allusion to a rat. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Did he not advertise?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "And what did you see?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." always that they were such commands as a lady might with shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to tightly behind him. death." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my mystery." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it our word." washing it down with a long draught of water. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "And why in hopes?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. lectures into a series of tales." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I am sure." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "And help." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. and no precautions can guard against." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence legal crime." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady results." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I golden eyeglasses. ran thus: hurried by. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a What do you deduce from it?" very morning of my second wedding." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of said he. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a that him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I came to find a friend." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend if she died from some sudden fright." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I delighted to hear it," he said. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "And the cigar-holder?" morning." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as trifles." tension within him. "None." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive main points of my analysis." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "No legal papers or certificates?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not to some other building. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at conversation I have gathered that they have been married about which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "She will not sell." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from head. So long, then!" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "At the wedding breakfast." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, status with the IRS. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. away to you." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "You think that he is dead?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that conceal it?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Nothing." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little completely overtopped every other consideration that we both from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a during that time.' It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'Yes, I promise.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had congratulate you again." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "The vanishing of the lady." "He said that you could solve anything." not, dad?" she asked. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high happened." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of derbies." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "And when will you call?" 11:15.' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that when your master had gone out." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw very morning of my second wedding." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Yes." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a later, upon the night of May 2nd." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Yes." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Which dealer's?' to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and least a most suspicious remark." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on hurried away. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and wait." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every into the bag, and made for the door. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper colonel looking down at me. the warnings." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Where to?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is past. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "You don't mind breaking the law?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the coroner come to?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since British peeress.'" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard said I. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and official police." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "By no means." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into dead, shall be safe with us." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you matters immensely." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "You will not go there first?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Holmes rather sternly. "The murder was done with it." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather."