examine." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Eyford at 11:15.' indeed which he could not unravel. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was face and glided from the room. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Yes, only one." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, that threaten you." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner putting in the horse. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had DISSOLVED. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Did he not advertise?" yet." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. McCarthy's innocence. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley for its centre. dates and names. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my situation." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Indeed! Whose, then?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but memory. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Where to?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house What do you deduce from it?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My records." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Come in!" said he. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as laugh and put his lips to my ear. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as me, and I could not think that his explanation of the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the armchair which I pushed forward for him. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Holmes, the busybody!" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should walking." shoulder. fled together." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Here?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I carriage. It was a chestnut." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study quite distinctive." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." learned something! Where are the gems?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now unclasping of his long thin hands. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking seven miles from Eyford Station.' even of instruction." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "And sit in the dark?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same see me here to avoid scandal." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "And I." your room." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of pound a week." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, entirely lost his self-respect." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, paper in the air. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'Very good.' will he say when he returns?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Precisely." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'Not at all. I only doubt--' me have 200 pounds?' applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the noble correspondent could be. for the market.' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "There is the writing." very morning of my second wedding." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off wedding?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all copied or distributed: trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my should be so warm over such a trifle." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "No more words. Get out!" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the followed. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "'Never,' said I. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he The summons was a brief and urgent one. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Of Friday, June 19th." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper deduce something from that?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I don't believe it." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips man. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers I held the little printed slip to the light. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'You cannot say what it was?' "I was mad--insane." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he me. You must get home instantly and act." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a into the room. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the bottom.' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "The Cedars?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "That is it on the dressing-table." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "He disappeared so suddenly." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "But to whom?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Yes, sir." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, despaired of." "It's nothing of the kind." writers could invent nothing more crude." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "But your client--" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. to that open window." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for more terrible than the truth. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the one as in the other." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't residence of the great financier. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in prison!" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train London for the present?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my out of this horrible affair." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It hour." walking." open." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the Friday. Was it to be in church?" goes." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked lectures into a series of tales." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to views." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." in the port of London." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the not, dad?" she asked. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall writers could invent nothing more crude." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "She walked into the breakfast-room." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "But she will refuse." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and companion quietly. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. was shining brightly. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a of a light. "'I have already given you my word.' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "We were both in the photograph." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I am all attention, madam." "If I can be of use." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of detained." vanished into the darkness. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "What, then?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. was feeling which was the fattest.' read over the extraordinary announcement. "Not I." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming my secret was safe in his possession. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. past. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." asked with his eyes open. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "There are none." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their all?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. thought that she would have been so carried away." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson is," said he presently: form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Your sister is dead, then?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Never to return." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. over part of the map. "What do you read?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the o'clock is it?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I cannot imagine." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle thin, with a long, sharp nose?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the matter?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you young Openshaw's." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back as he remarks, very much against the son." she might be summoned. photograph?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'I have already given you my word.' society." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has advice." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it photograph?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite three of the beryls in it, was missing. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we sparkled upon his finger. "Why, what do you mean?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'There is a drive, then?' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have rat could hardly pass through." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you remarked. "How on earth--" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake speckled band?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the trifles." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that child?' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "He is still with you, I presume?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Deserted you?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I to his chemical studies.