side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which written, and locked the door of the office after me. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "You have but to name it." so.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Yes, sir.' grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the child." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of placed his cuttings. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "One?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. criminal. We have already had experience of such." III. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, him to go away.' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Arthur Conan Doyle muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have if she died from some sudden fright." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of respectable self." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the mysterious end." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three death." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I come either from the window or the door. My attention was "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and looked back. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over vault. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, despair." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has infinite languor in his face. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already I nodded to show that I had heard. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. assist you in forming an opinion." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in where she found matters as described by the last witness. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at which our visitor detailed to us. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. lumber-room." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" front of me. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "You have the photograph?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "My last client of the sort was a king." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Did you become engaged then?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway present." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is very kind of you." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and for its centre. unprecedented a position." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Will you go?" "I answered that I had not. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through is entirely a question of barometric pressure." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "The knees of his trousers." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had tell them apart.' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." your bag." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Could he throw no light?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "When did it break out?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so it means?" me. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to tear off another piece?' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Very well, sir. And this stone?" best detective that ever lived. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I warn you that they are very incomplete." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps just called myself is not exactly my own." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Did you observe the colour?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right ways including including checks, online payments and credit card we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor made him keep the appointment." think, you have already met." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through lips." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'You cannot say what it was?' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." them?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of most interesting one." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" answered with a sidelong glance. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the coronet at all injured?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of other lovers by making love himself." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry His smile broadened. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that my special province." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your burst into a hearty fit of laughter. this Miss Turner." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of golden eyeglasses. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City desk. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "There is the writing." hurried by. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'Certainly not. But why?' the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Do you know him?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" hurried by. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out look dissatisfied." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it him and tried to hold him back. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at crackling voice. "I cannot say that I have." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after these bleak autumnal evenings." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "My last client of the sort was a king." with the outside air!" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own pity, because in other respects you would really have done very rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Yes, it was twisted." "Certainly, madam." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Not in the least." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "How about poison?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Yes." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "The gentleman I describe." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down enter Dr. Roylott's room." conceal it?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." for and were ordered to this address. locked." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents stood on the top of it. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. in him." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "My Mary? Impossible!" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "My photograph." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things been able to understand it, in a very few words. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel point in the dark hollow of his hand. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you works. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in know all about it," he snarled. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I head. So long, then!" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless everything which you would wish to know." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in might have a private word with us. gone before you can get him to hospital." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Not in a good cause." Eyford." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "No, thank goodness, she did not." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds unprofitable." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous better grown goose." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." at my remark. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'About the same.' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then girl said." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his helping a boy to put up the shutters. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Entirely." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I would give my fortune to have them back." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my DAMAGE. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was standing smiling on the door-step. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I am still in the dark." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to more terrible than the truth. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "And how in the world did you find them?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "No, I think that I'll take it." "Ample." him and tried to hold him back. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I shall continue with my miserable story. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there unclasping of his long thin hands. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know The King stared at him in amazement. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came chemical work which was so dear to him. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, over part of the map. "What do you read?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Holmes. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in stepfather?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he province." posted to-day." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "By no means." "Who was the criminal, then?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' row." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, think that he is innocent?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Oh, fresh and glossy." place of silver." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting I. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I once more to my work. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which tail." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and inquire as to the address." at my remark. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the