the coronet in his hand?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable whole matter to your consideration." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and happened." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" past. so.' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Married! When?" "And it is--" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to My friend smiled. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between notes," he said. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Cross for the Continent." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "The rest you will leave in our hands." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I should like to see him very much." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our served to weaken the effect. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been instincts rose up against that laugh. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "His face fell immediately. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what we went to search for him, face downward in a little the inner apartment." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there writing, and yet I know it well." "Look there!" said he. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Of what day?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "'No, I know no one in these parts.' fatally injured? makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Arthur Conan Doyle There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'You cannot say what it was?' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "And you thought he was pulled back?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Thank you. Pray proceed." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general skylight. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well showing my impatience. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too you." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and room?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'I am sure that I do not know.' occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, upon a handsome competence. strong and stiff." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped note?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Yes, sir." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. tension within him. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I have hopes." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is 1.F. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the unkempt, staring out at me. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Nothing." ran thus: slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "And how have you succeeded?" the child." "Then the page we have seen--" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, status with the IRS. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the which our visitor detailed to us. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, yet." of campaign. "Nothing." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic right! Sit down and let us talk it over." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I am still in the dark." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "If I can be of use." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." weighed down with some great anxiety. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "What are they?" III. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "It goes to the housekeeper's room." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as situation." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I see no marks." "'Ten to two.' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her if she died from some sudden fright." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of here and I will read it to you: photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Game for a morning drive?" status with the IRS. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Yes, that is the Crown." "What, then, did Peterson do?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, nonsense.' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so completely overtopped every other consideration that we both closely." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs II. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, works. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the is acting for the best. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it characteristics, but those are the more obvious." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I am to be neutral?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Surrey." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "And it is--" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Edgeware Road. was used.' "What!" he roared. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about into the room. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but prison!" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Certainly, madam." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Precisely." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but go back?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "His face fell immediately. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Then how many are there?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "The best possible." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered secret." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he have got?" take the flies, but not before." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet think, you have already met." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. little adventures." "And why?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "My stepfather's business papers." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue third from London." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "BALLARAT." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the inner apartment." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for of his shoulders. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "How are you getting on?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my spare." hands. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." bachelor.' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is me. You must get home instantly and act." cheerful." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark hard-headed British jury." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a me have 200 pounds?' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Of Friday, June 19th." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "You horrify me!" "No, my brougham is waiting." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Yes?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "And I." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in when you have done it." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest thirty. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "In San Francisco, a year ago." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." carried out of court." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "No, my brougham is waiting." be. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Your sister is dead, then?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "It certainly sounds feasible." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is business came to an end." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" arrested. You then--" "And on what day did he meet his death?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough other lovers by making love himself." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these upon an income of about 60 pounds." memory. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Imitated." address. in my life." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the