"I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "But the mystery?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall legal crime." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "My stepfather's business papers." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, a little more before I quite committed myself. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' you." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and stalked out of the room. any more." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was joking. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Eyford." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands little trying to do so much typewriting?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if happened." spark where all is dark to me." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin you?' would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of hour?' me what he had done with the three missing stones. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "At half-wages, in fact." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his was already answered. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather test if we have an answer to our advertisement." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "He slept on the premises." "You forget that I know nothing about it." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a whatever might befall. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything fact, we may call it conclusive." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking you in yours." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the British peeress.'" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." in a very precise fashion." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Yes." have been better. It is all right." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and the church but not where the lady lived." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and at my own good fortune. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, colonel looking down at me. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that gbnewby@pglaf.org in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the depend upon my doing so.' certainly not very gracious." breakfast?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It papers must be those that are destroyed.' business matters.' myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great read it out to me." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which directly by questioning you." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Dr. Becher's." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "But to whom?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Not in the least." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be looking up at the numbers of the houses." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "From his hat?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will that he has suffered." Literary Archive Foundation business came to an end." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a national property. I was determined that the law should have its cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'In my own bureau.' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any events than those which have happened in my own family." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'Which dealer's?' ourselves in the office." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the ventilator." "'There is a drive, then?' could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes." observed. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "The doctor?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes friend's singular character. "What then?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was furiously. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily British peeress.'" think that he is innocent?" "Not him." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Certainly." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "That you are never beaten." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Just look it up, then." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight were new raised from a basin. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "It is half-past ten now." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Holmes. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Eyford at 11:15.' fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man money should be paid at once.' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Absolutely?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, said Mr. Holder. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the inner apartment." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible at once, for I have only half an hour." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural name is different." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt that of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Your French gold?" "'And the work?' society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in spare." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had approach us with offers to donate. late." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the this Miss Turner." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is if only as a check to my own memory." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the roots. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "I will do it." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the despair." "Yes." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the enter into my head. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in back into the street. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I think it very unlikely." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. views." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "No bad?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him he. enter into my head. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies who was a member of your goose club." unprofitable." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or like gravel from a pit.' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the character. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." morning." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then delighted to hear it," he said. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the tragedy. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary since then to throw any light upon what became of him." guilty parties." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Pope's Court. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Get out!" said he. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." all that?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I am sure." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think again." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging papers must be those that are destroyed.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your fishes. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the knowledge of the world." "What will you say?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have him!" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Yes." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden to some other building. points to suicide?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten delirious. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "I promise," said Holmes. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "But I am all in the dark." "How did you deduce the select?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I promise," said Holmes. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "It is half-past ten now." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "He is dead," cried several voices. himself. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my carriage. It was a chestnut." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. thirty. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the there!' Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "And why?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "No." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "And you can do nothing until then?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your prove to be little relation between the different incidents of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such my little problems." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a what is your own theory as to what took place?" door?" outside. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my could go. asked with his eyes open. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "She walked into the breakfast-room." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in stepfather?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." unclasping of his long thin hands. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If mysterious business." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a manager. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground,