breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I or in danger--" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us awkward doing business with an alias." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion throat." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque putting in the horse. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "And how did you verify them?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "No." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was suggested at once that there must be a communication between the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "We must have a cab." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "On Monday." "Absolutely none." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal one or two very singular points about this room. For example, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper window when the police appeared." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "That you are never beaten." "Yes." him." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons chamber." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could like gravel from a pit.' must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that I may have something better before very many minutes are VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "The knees of his trousers." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's I nodded to show that I had heard. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the gives a meaning to it." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of other, as fresh and trim as possible. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the His smile broadened. me. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up interested in these little problems, and since you are good been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an My friend smiled. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "In answer to an advertisement." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "What have you done?" asked Holmes. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's night.' said he. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "My last client of the sort was a king." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these searched, without anything being found which could incriminate only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the and wait." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was annoyance, but no jest. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In me what he had done with the three missing stones. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it digesting their breakfasts at home." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made joking. gbnewby@pglaf.org me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'You cannot say what it was?' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Ha! you find it so?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Whose house is it?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend with the outside air!" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some characteristics, but those are the more obvious." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. matter." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and laid it on the table. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It is a murder, then?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too walking." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to have been novel and of interest." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no shag which I had seen upon the previous night. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for not come at once?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for impression behind it as though a window had gently closed at a side door. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Certainly." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "What, then?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way gentleman's clothes. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when with you alone." "On Monday." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. man. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect and no precautions can guard against." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "The doctor?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Sholtos." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had crime. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" any more." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. strength." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. get her out of the way." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, trifles." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for it." "Yes." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "And how?" grasp, he hurried from the room. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several I have it here in my museum." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Then, as to money?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and he died? future lives." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "How did that help you?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the both be extremely obliged.' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' sooner or later she must fall a victim. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and as noiselessly as she had come. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland joking. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." annoyance, but no jest. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and late." "Certainly." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the side. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and for its centre. clanging. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Lee, in the county of Kent." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to is four-and-twenty." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am will be renamed. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Where to?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily thought that she would have been so carried away." hair?' while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their have one." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you anything to do with the matter?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "He slept on the premises." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, how narrow had been my escape. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" this unhappy family?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that voice, changing her seat as requested. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "You think that he is dead?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried ashen face. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And how did he make his money?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." you." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for placed his cuttings. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Munro.' with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Why? What do you mean?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all salesman. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the driver. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Well?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded murdered man." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Holmes' face clouded over. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight you in yours." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously developed." your most interesting statement." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too clang of the bell. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is have accepted such a situation. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling as yours." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Precisely." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! approach us with offers to donate. Lee, in the county of Kent." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and that you wished to speak to me?' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the digesting their breakfasts at home." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. foresight and the moral retrogression?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most sit on the left-hand side of the driver."