family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. breakfast." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement upon the white wrist. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I answered that I had not. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, chemical work which was so dear to him. Have you good authority for what you say?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Surrey." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we drawing your inferences." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." investigation." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "But she could not love him." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt I nodded to show that I had heard. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in nights." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the goes." upon the shelf for the interim." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "And sit in the dark?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a these bleak autumnal evenings." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "BALLARAT." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have families. Now for the facts. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done approach us with offers to donate. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "How about poison?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp father's young wife. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Have you her photograph?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. for the market.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to business." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Was the window open?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Leadenhall Street--and--" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, charge against him will break down." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the it." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "You heard nothing yourself last night?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian said he at last. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Yes." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Clair, of Lee." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," investigation." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "No." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper looking up at the numbers of the houses." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and files of the old papers, following the future career of every doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is me." with you alone." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'And the work?' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Stolen." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of newspaper selections." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Certainly." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've had a long day." was not a bird to be seen there. stepfather?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss out." quickly through a disagreeable task. will he say when he returns?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that hurried away. as yours." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came danger is over." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get II. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I was afraid that you were engaged." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Bought." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Eyford at 11:15.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I McCarthy." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the loss of it. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the chambers. occurred." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Yes, that is the Crown." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "10th. John Swain cleared. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to happened." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'And the work?' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a his fortune, and I went back to pa. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Nothing?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who room. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Not him." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "No, I think that I'll take it." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would point in the dark hollow of his hand. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "How often?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are From what you have told me I think that it is possible that fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I mystery!" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "But your client--" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. present." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Yes. He waved his hands." This is what he says: good for you to do.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by purpose equally well?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "You horrify me!" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a populous neighbourhood." the inner apartment." II. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Because he was handy and would come cheap." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Yes, it would be as well." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'Ample.' only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and crackling voice. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and skylight. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his prove to be little relation between the different incidents of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding tension within him. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and business?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. peculiar to him. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been of a light. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his not, dad?" she asked. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered other means.' who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "What have you to say now?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away brought there to personate someone, and the real person is to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "But I have heard all that you have heard." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban extraordinary contortions. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the Red-headed League." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "No, but the enclosure is." "Imitated." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Then how many are there?" there." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Serpentine Avenue. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and your sleep?' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice see me here to avoid scandal." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I am to be neutral?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk direction." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this remarked. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in my friend's incisive reasoning. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is was feeling which was the fattest.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "And it is--" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I say it is." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "In heaven's name, what for?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not shall not find me ungrateful." hour?' clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a open." highly," said Holmes. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "'Certainly not. But why?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as delirious. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' hurried by.