at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Then, as to money?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this families. Now for the facts. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "And leave your case unfinished?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there have been better. It is all right." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and your relations to her." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. south, for the country is more deserted there." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I am following you closely," I answered. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer taking in every detail of the apartment. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "If so, much may have happened between." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall may never be exposed to such a temptation." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of or other trace. But how on earth--" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to have that photograph." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were begun to whiten, even as mine has." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness may have an influence upon European history." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the feature." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it you give your casting vote to?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you of the vacancies.' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to companion imperturbably. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "May I see it?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to events than those which have happened in my own family." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Imitated." point in the dark hollow of his hand. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the it with his own hands." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "But of what society?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a even of instruction." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Yes." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "But how?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the matter?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come as the one I chose?' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and me upon any point which I do not make clear." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. girl said." "At what time?" habit of advancing money.' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "And you thought he was pulled back?" "At what time?" you in yours." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the to tackle the facts." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise down. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': present." "Certainly." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I which our visitor detailed to us. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we room?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of forbidden door. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's this man was intellectual?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "But what harm can there be in that?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman ourselves in the office." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in he died? I shall continue with my miserable story. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about something of him before." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low chill to my heart. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of quickly through a disagreeable task. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, could go. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "That sounds a little paradoxical." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. once more to my work. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." over here." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not this unhappy family?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'Where to?' self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "What can you not understand?" round and wave him away like that.' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "It is to him that this trophy belongs." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he The police have openly confessed that they can at present make better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, annoyance, but no jest. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal over with notes and figures. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when were wasted." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Could he throw no light?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this geese which you supplied to the Alpha." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, lips." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Then the page we have seen--" forbidden door. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which point our research must commence, and we will begin it by back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in sound at heart." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the side-table." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself bedroom door." little adventures." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's humiliation." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A prisoner's face. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety ago." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a believe that I should never have any practice at all. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that that I am arrested." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Then, how do you know?" Pool. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let indiscretion." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil present strange and interesting features that it is no easy which should have the effect of calling the attention of the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' sooner or later she must fall a victim. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. his forehead." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. asked. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together your most interesting statement." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of despaired of." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you opened a pocket-book and took out a note. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and you." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "And it is--" other, as fresh and trim as possible. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Deserted you?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers some city in a dream. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "What have you to say now?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when she to prove their authenticity?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family forbidden door. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close entirely lost his self-respect." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Miss Holder?" "Will you go?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would to talk it over. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered thin legs towards the fire. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other such attractions and accomplishments?' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith in darkness. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in a very precise fashion." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely how narrow had been my escape. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the conclusions. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from late!' My friend smiled. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Can I be of assistance?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Then, how do you know?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" never will be, entirely cleared up. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "None. Neville wrote those words." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, always that they were such commands as a lady might with to-night?' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the which our visitor detailed to us. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between fire. You quite follow me?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, affection." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him directly by questioning you." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper some place of shelter and let the county police know what has man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before down from London to inquire more deeply into it."