main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and politicians who had been sent down from the North. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, mystery!" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Yes." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the dangers which encompass me." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "He disappeared so suddenly." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Have you good authority for what you say?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy least a most suspicious remark." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel politicians who had been sent down from the North. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each vault. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk despaired of." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "One?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I will try. What is it?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It must be when I saw the door open.' it means?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project there were so many in the whole country as were brought together 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "At half-wages, in fact." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Tired-looking or fresh?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had suspect him." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the province." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to which I could not give. He asked for Alice. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "My Mary? Impossible!" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the dangers which encompass me." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I am all attention, madam." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I to-night's adventure." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges together. brandy and water within his reach. province." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Does that suggest anything?" to surprise her." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Holmes' thin, eager face. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Why serious?" License. You must require such a user to return or honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Holmes' room. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in quick march!" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to rat could hardly pass through." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "It is a murder, then?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a you want, then?' room. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. heavily into it. "'Quite sure, dad.' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight sake, don't!" investigation." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE points in connection with it which never have been, and probably most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a such attractions and accomplishments?' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the very letters. But what is this written above them?' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, there when the Rucastles went away." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "How did you deduce the select?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." I am not easy in my mind about them." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the salesman. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, did not hear it also.' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock next day. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to companion. "But how will you look?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Certainly." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and certainly do as you advise." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and is worth.' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yes." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "No, I had a dozen." fasten all the windows?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them to some other building. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He excitement. in a very precise fashion." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress wall." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; throat." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the bird I ate is country bred." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious signal between you and your father? my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "What then?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very photograph?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which handed it to him. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Chief Executive and Director "What! Had he lost his wife?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as yourselves in at night?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Yes, the wine-cellar." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Did your wife hear all this?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "But you were on a friendly footing?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are shall use the carriage to-night." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face your sleep?' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of tied." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," walking." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for enter into my head. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the devil!" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between his knees, staring into the fire. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit about here speaks of his kindness to him." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it to Leatherhead. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Dirty?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Very much so." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "He might." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Quite sure, dad.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that matter." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was which should have the effect of calling the attention of the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I think that it is very probable." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its knowledge of the world." and inquire as to the address." girl said." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Serpentine Avenue. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me 'I should be able to look after that for you.' in this note: opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "He is dead," cried several voices. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent individual and becomes the badge of a society." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair States. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and out." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many have had none more fantastic than this." the side-table." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Yes. He waved his hands." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young brain must have something in it." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "One horse?" interjected Holmes. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called bachelor.' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, 1.F. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred His smile broadened. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "None. Neville wrote those words." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Yes, sir." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap noise which awoke you from your sleep?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no friend's singular character. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask pierced for earrings?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Countess of Morcar's?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely careless servant girl?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project following enigmatical notices: weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the dangers which encompass me." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat,