telegram would bring me down to your help." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. writing, and yet I know it well." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he them present such singular features as the strange train of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, our word." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "She walked into the breakfast-room." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or disturbance in my wife." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to just ask you whether you had heard it.' me have 200 pounds?' stammered. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the salesman. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Holmes. distinguish the words: points to suicide?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which front of the hall door has given its name to the place. digesting their breakfasts at home." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could pressing in one house as in another. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the devil!" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Perhaps I have." you?" your Highness to the police-station?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently seven miles from Eyford Station.' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of his grey eyes. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began what I may call a really hard day's work." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt asked with his eyes open. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is guilty parties." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You once more. the general public were present, then?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week you want, then?' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever enough to aid us in our search." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the noting anything else of interest. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. outsides of the windows. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the me. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to hour." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Yes, sir.' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us obstinate." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of asked. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Holmes. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll that he will be back before evening." me. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew and the colonel ushered me in. vault. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "And how?" problems help me to do so." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the directly by questioning you." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been States. "Quite so. She has her freedom." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Holmes' room. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief where she found matters as described by the last witness. bird of prey. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "And for present expenses?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning them present such singular features as the strange train of and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "And I say east," said my patient. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked main points of my analysis." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little during that time.' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we some city in a dream. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I questionable one." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." look dissatisfied." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I followed. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Seven!" I answered. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as your co-operation." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with think that any burglar could have done. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah easy-going way." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room away to you." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second shaken than I had ever seen him. to-night?" I asked. "And now?" He raised his hand. evidence," I remarked. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'Certainly not. But why?' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which woven round him. his wife has ceased to love him." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'Entirely.' Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I it means?" "By no means." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "And from a noble client?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he did not hear it also.' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the bachelor.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the general public were present, then?" "'Most admirably.' difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem said he, "my real name is James Ryder." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds gbnewby@pglaf.org "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. galvanised. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest I approached. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Countess of Morcar's?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, careless servant girl?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found shoulder; "he's all right." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Nearly eleven." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." within hail.' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. cigars in the box." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge sound at heart." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. better in every way that they should make their position a little "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, business in the City. She little knew what. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "No, but the enclosure is." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry of the efforts of the United States government and of the better garden below. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept I. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to stood on the top of it. words came to my lips. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "You are all wrong." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "No more words. Get out!" better grown goose." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Ample." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of all?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "That also I could fathom." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was instituted." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and head. So long, then!" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "And help." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my kind enough to tell me what I should do." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin was already answered. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, gone. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "What will you do, then?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the very old mansion. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "None." I leave." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as ready to-morrow?' "What! Had he lost his wife?" that he has suffered." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I assure you that I am in your hands." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Indeed! Whose, then?" for its centre. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Was the window open?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "But she could not love him." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still fishes. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "What?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is his face which made him a very different person to the round, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Stolen, then." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my national property. I was determined that the law should have its the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't jewels which you have stolen?' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "What do you mean?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "What can you not understand?"