reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Have you good authority for what you say?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a key of the affair now." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "And leave your case unfinished?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "So it appears." to you." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. again, where I was soon asleep. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to even of instruction." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Certainly." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an putting in the horse. License. You must require such a user to return or because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the south-west, I see." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "'Oh, no.' "So it appears." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or I was concerned in it." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. His name is Francis Prosper." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "But we can't all be." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said tied." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I grasp, he hurried from the room. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional in. "The vanishing of the lady." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was think you a quite exceptional woman." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the bed, and you in that chair." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Yes, from Horsham." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the whole matter to your consideration." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent at my own good fortune. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "No, I think that I'll take it." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering she to prove their authenticity?" "And you can do nothing until then?" page at http://pglaf.org follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Holmes." been." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'Never,' said I. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the iron safe, which he closed upon it. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I shall be delighted." relief. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental lost his Christmas dinner." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir at home. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that four million human beings all jostling each other within the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Not in a good cause." "'What, the red-headed man?' ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "So I am. Very much so." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an business in the City. She little knew what. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you take the flies, but not before." rooms." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I letters?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold papers must be those that are destroyed.' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards lost nothing by them." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' opened the door, and slipped through. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "She will not sell." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning meanly of me." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 anything to do with the matter?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I assure you that I am in your hands." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "'Where could I find him?' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you be.' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "And how did you verify them?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "On your arm?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a companion. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I chamber." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what companion. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Edgeware Road. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle vanished into the darkness. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Ample.' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would leave you to your papers for a little." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the behind me. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are will not take me long to tell. lamp. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than him and tried to hold him back. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be door?" "My Mary? Impossible!" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "And for present expenses?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a which it had come upon my father." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "By all means." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be foresight and the moral retrogression?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, that he has suffered." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got could go. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "To an end?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the never came back." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "By no means." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "We must have a cab." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Holmes' thin, eager face. "In heaven's name, what for?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "To the police?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I fear not." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "But who is he?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who tapping his fingers upon the table. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK wanted for ourselves." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Where did you address your letters, then?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should upon the sideboard." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Absolutely none." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a several quiet little villages up there." is," said he presently: quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is brain must have something in it." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I am to be neutral?" "Come in!" said Holmes. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of any more." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection written, and locked the door of the office after me. were wasted." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I shall be delighted." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that cigar and let me expound." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "VIOLET HUNTER." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'Stolen!' he cried. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who placed his cuttings. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your I nodded to show that I had heard. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Was the window open?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. horse could go." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that pictures, libraries, or plate. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Oh, fresh and glossy." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "BALLARAT." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Watson," he said cordially. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Well, it is a possible supposition." "What! a murderous attack?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your she used." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Certainly." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his nights." the Red-headed League." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Did he not advertise?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could with the outside air!" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the