shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in three fields round his house, and there he would take his VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Proceed, then." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Then he might have called to you?" are, I think, all that we need." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. kindly on the shoulder. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." page at http://pglaf.org the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "And now?" He raised his hand. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the matter." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the dangers which encompass me." "Her father is very rich?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "It came here." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "How did you deduce the select?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall fashion which was peculiar to him. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I shall be delighted." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates not within a twentieth part of the market price." all that?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "But his lameness?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without head. So long, then!" Doctor, of the paper and the date." his knees, staring into the fire. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He that you can jump it.' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy shoulder. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "But what will you do?" "'Certainly not.' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, way in everything. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I cannot tell." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Street. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he question," said Holmes, smiling. Lee, in the county of Kent." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I have come for advice." "Pray do so." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "You think so, too?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. What do you deduce from it?" room?" "But his left-handedness." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless my friend's incisive reasoning. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, someone who had been in Australia." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Certainly not. But why?' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should that he will be back before evening." "I fear not." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Yes, he did." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' and it need not interfere very much with one's other Arthur Conan Doyle brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, You want to know what became of those geese?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits of the way of danger. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' forecastle of an emigrant ship. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do indeed happy." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor John Swain, of St. Augustine. "And what did you learn from him?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "You have but to name it." "How did that help you?" served to weaken the effect. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common had picked up in the wood. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people a suggestive one." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Sutherland?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the room while you explain this matter?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer for its centre. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage burst into a hearty fit of laughter. eat it." IS money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "What!" he roared. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Did you observe the colour?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I have my revolver," said I. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it all that?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell closely." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the date of his supposed suicide." happened." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "And how?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his towards the blaze. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, this as likely?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "It certainly sounds feasible." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope your troubles." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell enough to aid us in our search." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "But you have hopes?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you we went to search for him, face downward in a little which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though bird I ate is country bred." the Red-headed League." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet seen the man in the road." here." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the matter." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully an introduction to him?" "Ha! you find it so?" of the way of danger. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Holmes." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat approach us with offers to donate. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. fluttered off among the others. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "And I." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I warn you that they are very incomplete." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "My last client of the sort was a king." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it confronted him. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I promise," said Holmes. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your front of me. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "I promise," said Holmes. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with that you wished to speak to me?' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been man. I know him from the photograph." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with main points of my analysis." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; again." "What shall I do?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him crime." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. companion imperturbably. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Did you observe the colour?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, it." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'In my own bureau.' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Bought." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not there." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the devil!" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I had this final quarrel? town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the this as likely?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Seven!" I answered. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "No." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, will be renamed. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I have a cab outside." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "10th. John Swain cleared. the date of his supposed suicide." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Well, some hundreds of times." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. meant." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the dangers which encompass me." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "No." "Yes, but only for you and me." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at everything which you would wish to know." conduct the inquiry." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "I should be immensely obliged to you." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home From what you have told me I think that it is possible that mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "What shall I do?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can that he will be back before evening." "Then what has happened to him?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "No, I had a dozen." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their as noiselessly as she had come. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted were wasted." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his me what he had done with the three missing stones. miles off. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed matters immensely." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the nonsense.'