I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and ventilator." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "No, I had a dozen." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "VIOLET HUNTER." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope so.' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, carpenter." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered footfalls from the street. matter over." as the one I chose?' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Well, but China?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "You have compromised yourself seriously." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Pope's Court. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped as noiselessly as she had come. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "To an end?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of whether it answered to the description of any of their her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." key turn in the lock." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony retorted upon me, and I on you." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Proceed, then." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "'Ample.' you." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary wall." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "That is possible." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property his knees, staring into the fire. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he retorted upon me, and I on you." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Quite so." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "None." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is question. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long tell me that you intended to go into harness." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had God! What an exposure! What can I do?" have accepted such a situation. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my figure." nothing of it?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon a monotonous occupation." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "And I." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its was once confined in the cab my mission was practically my friend's incisive reasoning. "One of the highest in England." points to suicide?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I am sure." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Eh? What was that?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the infinite languor in his face. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "But the mystery?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, obstinate." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Nothing?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here might have a private word with us. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to be.' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the do.' slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was so far?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Absolutely?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'What, the red-headed man?' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary at a side door. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father delighted to hear it," he said. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "None." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched an introduction to him?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and points to suicide?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "If I can be of use." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could cigars in the box." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that as he folded up the epistle. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. a suggestive one." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little placed his cuttings. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had be sorry for having acted so harshly." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "From his hat?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come The events in question occurred in the early days of my me upon any point which I do not make clear." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Have you good authority for what you say?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Imitated." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. populous neighbourhood." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Indeed! Whose, then?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Not particularly." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." his huge brown hands. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "It came here." ran thus: this poor creature." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country was shining brightly. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and looked back. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." your bag." roused himself from his reverie. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the have an American origin." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'And the work?' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I have a cab outside." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'Why that?' I asks. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "But I am all in the dark." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "When did it break out?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in his knees, staring into the fire. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER business in the City. She little knew what. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work meant." outsides of the windows. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while national property. I was determined that the law should have its only touch the interest." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She had a long day." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the south-west, I see." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think was a perfect sample of the class. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Stolen!' he cried. in his hands." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. pressing in one house as in another. at once, for I have only half an hour." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "A greater distance to travel." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the very letters. But what is this written above them?' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the to miss it." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed touch that coronet?' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "I have come for advice." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as place of silver." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that plantation.' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "By no means." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "What are they?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in exactly what you advise." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Well?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found was a perfect sample of the class. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Yes, all." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may out of this horrible affair." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have 11:15.' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through and no precautions can guard against." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Never." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "And the cigar-holder?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "And how have you succeeded?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. whereabouts. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" unprecedented a position." "Precisely so. But how--" "Did you become engaged then?" "'And what salary do you ask?' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the best of training." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Where, then, is my wife?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I