"There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" acquaintance?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact existence." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "But his left-handedness." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his narrative." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is sound at heart." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend hopeless attempt at recovering them." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Nothing?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Here?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has been able to understand it, in a very few words. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I amused." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "They are typewritten," I remarked. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to case-book, which he consulted. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you them present such singular features as the strange train of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have purpose equally well?" colonel looking down at me. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and acted in my house last night?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we for securing the situation." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the might help us?" out." "Was there a secret marriage?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "That is unusual in a young girl." to-night." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. that?' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Yes, it was gone.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with from you?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "We were both in the photograph." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Who was the criminal, then?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a minor matters until to-morrow." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, discontent upon his features. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "To an end?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there me where it went to?" or other trace. But how on earth--" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not into the bag, and made for the door. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "It surprised me." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Absolutely?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and congratulate you again." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she just ask you whether you had heard it.' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself any more." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, both be extremely obliged.' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior do you make of it all?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a be. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "By no means." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. approach us with offers to donate. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the if I call to-morrow?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." too. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. several quiet little villages up there." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my promised to bring home. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," detective. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." you." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through I nodded again. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his answer." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite and put his glass in his pocket. to talk it over. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "It missed him, then?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate careless servant girl?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the matter." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw because she had spent so short a time in this country that she For additional contact information: starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and McCarthy's innocence. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire thin legs towards the fire. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. very morning of my second wedding." "Dirty?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a vanished into the darkness. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'Yes, I promise.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental was the fact that his father should, according to his account, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the call the police, let the police find what they can.' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a that I am arrested." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Was your sister dressed?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, time." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I am still in the dark." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way and the church but not where the lady lived." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "But how will you look?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was her also." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the bottom.' caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months remarked. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the south-west, I see." comes from the middle window." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Sutherland?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "But how?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "How are you getting on?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's persecution?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Yes." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced could not account in any way for the presence of the missing lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather was already answered. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'A dozen yards or so.' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I papers must be those that are destroyed.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his whether it answered to the description of any of their penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "And help." disappearance of these gems?" with you?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. asked with his eyes open. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much what is your own theory as to what took place?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to answer." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of any little problem which you may submit to me." "It is half-past ten now." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I am all attention, madam." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they bore every mark of being an average commonplace British card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "A greater distance to travel." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he pictures, libraries, or plate. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'And the work?' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Farm upon the left." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. to Leatherhead. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "No. What a strange idea!" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, companion. the side-table." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'A dozen yards or so.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall your billet.' "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I in this note: safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the matter?" "None. Neville wrote those words." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "But how?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss unprofitable." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'Yes, I promise.' downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "It is solved." "Won't it ring?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little 'please.'" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." might have a private word with us. it. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "You horrify me." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I think it very unlikely." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. whatever might befall. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain that before taking the final step I should like to submit the