Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! thin, with a long, sharp nose?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to without a word or a look. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest envelope. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said nice household for a young lady." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "One of the highest in England." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "One?" "I have hopes." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go suggested at once that there must be a communication between the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in father's place of business?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Which are?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO completely overtopped every other consideration that we both my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the as this. Pray let me have the details." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable mystery!" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "How are you getting on?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "What, then, did Peterson do?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I am to be neutral?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very than to us. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that hair?' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I see many objections to any such theory." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the ceiling. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that I can to serve you." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon absorbing." him, that man would not have given me such complete information asked with his eyes open. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "An accident, I presume?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Sholtos." if I call to-morrow?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of campaign. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES when your master had gone out." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped sake, don't!" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Certainly." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his there has been an enclosure here!" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My opportunities to fix the problem. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our very old mansion. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down discontent upon his features. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was to talk it over. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Munro.' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Yes, from Horsham." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "At the wedding breakfast." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my what these perils are?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "No legal papers or certificates?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned becomes even more simple." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, lamp. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Well." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "How about poison?" I nodded again. ordinary clothes on?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his once more on the important position which you have been fortunate not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. too. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main to affect your life." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it true." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the station." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first several quiet little villages up there." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching was used.' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Then I can wait in the next room." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the roots. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to four million human beings all jostling each other within the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" ago." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray was used.' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by into the bag, and made for the door. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "My opinion is in no way altered." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Quite so." you understand?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "This concluded the examination of the witness." at a side door. a very grave face. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, other lovers by making love himself." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and matter." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Then, how do you know?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia visitors." advice." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two than was visible to me." one which it was hard to resist. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely and files of the old papers, following the future career of every vague figure huddled up in the darkness. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this directors, with the result that you have seen." stepfather?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the noble correspondent could be. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to main points of my analysis." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which went to the Alpha were town bred." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note if I call to-morrow?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. "It is half-past ten now." detective. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? come either from the window or the door. My attention was over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Sutherland?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door seem to you to be relevant or not." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that again, where I was soon asleep. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would weary and pale-looking. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." again." Have you good authority for what you say?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "You were travelling in the States?" served to weaken the effect. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "No." "It is his hat." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that weapon." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it said I. away to you." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit his cane at the bell-pull. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my It may be so in this case, also." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Yes, from Horsham." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "None." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "And is that all?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "It is very kind of you." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "When did she vanish, then?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it habit of advancing money.' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "And it is--" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of o'clock is it?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having empty. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon his eyes and forehead. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight his huge brown hands. to have that photograph." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Two days later this same performance was gone through under moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you nights." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of business matters.' entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for intrusion of other matters." all that?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Yes." she used." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We posted to-day." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing arms and began to sob in a high treble key. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is chance at all." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight weary and pale-looking. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'What then?' I asked. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Edgeware Road. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I should wish to." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my know all about it," he snarled. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came shaken than I had ever seen him. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with now. It seems that there had been some informality about their delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. events, Mr. Windibank!" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little whatever might befall. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the that I am arrested." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the one as in the other." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the child." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "The King of Scandinavia." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the brain must have something in it." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he