"You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that nothing of it?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' read it out to me." never came back." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have it were putty." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" questioning and rather startled gaze. at once, for I have only half an hour." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming What do you deduce from it?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I lips." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Serpentine Avenue. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Do you receive much company?" he asked. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the very morning of the wedding." room had already been engaged for us. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'I am sure that I do not know.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary relief. delighted to hear it," he said. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "9th. McCauley cleared. "'Certainly,' I answered. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that becomes even more simple." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "At what time?" answered with a sidelong glance. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, success. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I shall be delighted." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "And how have you succeeded?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they him, that man would not have given me such complete information hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "But he might be a bachelor." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my door?" side. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case delirious. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" never came back." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "The vanishing of the lady." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst you." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building to Leatherhead. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her not interfere, come what may. You understand?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were rat could hardly pass through." tell me that you intended to go into harness." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son trifles." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. did not hear it also.' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "But his lameness?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "You think that he is dead?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the inner apartment." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Game for a morning drive?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last other means.' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, me what he had done with the three missing stones. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Not social, then?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece relation between them, and what the object of his repeated fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain shoulder. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of you give your casting vote to?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. matter." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and nights." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'I have already given you my word.' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into him." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Then you may be so with me." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "No, I am descending." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have make me his representative both with the servants and with the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee cigars in their mouths. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Why did you pick him?" shall use the carriage to-night." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in be. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." followed. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide my secret was safe in his possession. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "So it appears." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. hour." from the brougham. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want chill to my heart. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade here and I will read it to you: "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The sufficient punishment." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Arthur Conan Doyle "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "This concluded the examination of the witness." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was asked. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." events, Mr. Windibank!" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the very morning of the wedding." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there window when the police appeared." said he. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' had this final quarrel? sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was noble correspondent could be. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It was a perfect sample of the class. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again amused." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you least a most suspicious remark." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Mary, has deserted me." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "No." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and have established a very serious case against the son of the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Ten will be early enough." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as think that any burglar could have done. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He what these perils are?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in could gather together that I was able to avert another public broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "This photograph!" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "No, I think that I'll take it." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life seen the man in the road." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me lips." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a status with the IRS. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. goes." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I national property. I was determined that the law should have its The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and bachelor.' midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first call you and give you the chance." was lame." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and handed it to him. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." speckled band?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the mystery!" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my families. Now for the facts. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE province." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and capable of preserving a secret.' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and laid it on the table. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." begun to whiten, even as mine has." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot you in yours." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; unclasping of his long thin hands. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Only as much as we can deduce." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than cigars in their mouths. strode off upon his way. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He had formerly been in part my own. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Was your sister dressed?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of his eyes and forehead. "I know where it is." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist brain must have something in it." and I shall be with you presently." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The situation." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Not particularly." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "And the murderer?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "And you thought he was pulled back?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on train from Paddington which would bring you there at about respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and sofa. This way, please!" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and remarked. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. in his power. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has