"That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Have you her photograph?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Never to return." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I answered that I had not. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' seem to you to be relevant or not." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in records." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Perhaps I have." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or lost his Christmas dinner." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Street. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately asked. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite of Mr. Rucastle's." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "That is it on the dressing-table." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have locked." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Yes." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed of your young ladies.' "What office?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post side. Eyford at 11:15.' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society persecution?" sneer upon his pale face. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Yes, sir." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'What do you call purely nominal?' casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was became a certainty. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, he. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or tell me that you intended to go into harness." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales was already answered. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after individual and becomes the badge of a society." Cross for the Continent." knowledge of the world." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "But he might be a bachelor." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as gives a meaning to it." "How about poison?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then I shall certainly come." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our there is a decided draught." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your see me here to avoid scandal." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' events, Mr. Windibank!" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. you." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Eyford at 11:15.' woman." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'Yes, I promise.' his cane at the bell-pull. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "By no means." dead, shall be safe with us." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church be sorry for having acted so harshly." "By no means." amused." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing system of imprisonment?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its in my life." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord washing it down with a long draught of water. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no works. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at happened." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "But how?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. Lee, in the county of Kent." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes system of imprisonment?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I beg pardon." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." any little problem which you may submit to me." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you occupations.' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to new duties?' "There are none." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who confronted him. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'I am sure that I do not know.' really the only notable feature about the thing." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his notes," he said. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, allusion to a rat. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Yes, at the mines." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, examine." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and at a side door. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman indeed which he could not unravel. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "There is the writing." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement to arrive at through this?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'What then?' I asked. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up down from London to inquire more deeply into it." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the someone who had been in Australia." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "None. Neville wrote those words." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the loss of it. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they you." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is of this gang." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "But he might be a bachelor." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Thank you. Pray proceed." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" in a very precise fashion." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And how in the world did you find them?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Stoke Moran?" said he. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Certainly." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his instincts rose up against that laugh. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than kind enough to tell me what I should do." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" that you saw all that I did." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Very murderous indeed." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt ceremony." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Countess of Morcar's?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the matter?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend that I can to serve you." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael on in his house." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror outside." "What I expected to see." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the pierced for earrings?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until not use it unless it is absolutely needed." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "And what did you learn from him?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Yes." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Then you may entirely rely on me." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the tragedy. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you floor. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, remarked. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "What! a murderous attack?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I will get her to show me." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the man. "Where is it, then?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a shall not find me ungrateful." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole that threaten you." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Very murderous indeed." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing walking." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about cause to be." your sleep?' stepfather?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client case-book, which he consulted. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their I took the paper from him and read as follows: "And help." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into people in all walks of life. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. ordinary clothes on?" them, and came down just as you departed. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It's nothing of the kind." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation purpose equally well?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "But you can know nothing of this?" "And why in hopes?" "I have my revolver," said I. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the present." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "I have solved it." events, Mr. Windibank!" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you already been minutely examined." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, chambers. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "A call for help, you thought?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I think it very unlikely." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned without success. At last the little money which I had saved began member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of the vacancies.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that crime. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of acted in my house last night?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted people don't know." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I don't believe it." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some dear old homesteads?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. infinite languor in his face. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. quite distinctive." "What do you mean?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Yes." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell."