great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "By no means." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Of Friday, June 19th." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Nothing?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Then you may entirely rely on me." copied or distributed: his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against attention." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "She told me to ask you." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "But what harm can there be in that?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I approached. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of digesting their breakfasts at home." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent of fine shops and stately business premises that they really characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." even of instruction." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "So I am. Very much so." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Certainly not. But why?' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "That is possible." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. all?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that of it with the greatest attention. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I present." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Sutherland?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so nice household for a young lady." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the to change my dress. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the possible that we could bring him back to her? with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Watson," he said cordially. the house with me." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found affair. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "You have carte blanche." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this me, and I could not think that his explanation of the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'How far from the body?' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Yes." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the if only as a check to my own memory." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "There are none." have got?" Gutenberg-tm License. "Yes, all." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "And how did he make his money?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, instincts rose up against that laugh. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Literary Archive Foundation imbecility!" he cried. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And you can do nothing until then?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the inquest, and which are worth considering." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated narrative." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. system of imprisonment?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "10th. John Swain cleared. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "That's no good." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing official police." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "No bad?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and already referred to. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and closely." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp presented more singular features than that which was associated "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since allusion to a rat. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than night.' said he. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which derbies." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, one of them." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "How did you trace it, then?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss prisoner's face. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," looking up at the numbers of the houses." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" her also." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly intrusion of other matters." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That an introduction to him?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no IS Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. writing, and yet I know it well." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a danger is over." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "What will you do, then?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again upon a handsome competence. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Then the page we have seen--" "In San Francisco, a year ago." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "They are typewritten," I remarked. upon a handsome competence. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Yes, but only for you and me." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp annoyance, but no jest. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "And how?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Tired-looking or fresh?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my outsides of the windows. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "When did it break out?" outsides of the windows. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Never." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came questionable one." "Stoke Moran?" said he. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon to me. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And is that all?" "That is possible." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Precisely." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH will be renamed. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such You want to know what became of those geese?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Count Von Kramm." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be shall use the carriage to-night." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "There are none." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted prove to be little relation between the different incidents of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in cup of tea. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father I shall continue with my miserable story. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Surrey." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: that he has suffered." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "How do you know, then?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" garden below. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, only touch the interest." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" furiously. "In heaven's name, what for?" said he. lamp in his hand. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Absolutely?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. sparkled upon his finger. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an over here." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the little opening for the ventilator is." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I was afraid that you were engaged." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, best detective that ever lived. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me them present such singular features as the strange train of straightened it out again. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an his eyes and forehead. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill presented more singular features than that which was associated where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" leaning back in his chair. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my shoulder; "he's all right." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty very morning of my second wedding." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying way in everything. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, families. Now for the facts. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of some water from a caraffe. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter furiously. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still,