within hail.' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind see me here to avoid scandal." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "But to whom?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "What then?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? felt?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the girl said." girl said." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular brain must have something in it." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given presented more singular features than that which was associated stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to call for it in person on Monday morning.' question," said Holmes, smiling. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I read it out to me." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that weary and pale-looking. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing recall any case within my experience which looked at the first few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" my special province." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt there when the Rucastles went away." allusion to a rat. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Oh, the cause is excellent!" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if views." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine in a very precise fashion." such attractions and accomplishments?' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Entirely." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' made his money." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I neither fascinating nor artistic." "He disappeared so suddenly." once more to my work. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Yes, from Horsham." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "But what harm can there be in that?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "And who is her maid?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all here and I will read it to you: guilty one." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have she has been waylaid. There has been no result." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson question you as to those details which seem to me to be most alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Always." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a results." "But to whom?" occupations.' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "What are they?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle of note-paper. It read in this fashion: a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured hard-headed British jury." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical gone before you can get him to hospital." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Nothing." suspect him." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'Quite sure, dad.' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no you." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the approach us with offers to donate. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. hurried away. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their galvanised. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Well?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing our word." "The rest you will leave in our hands." passage and a tap at the door. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of tell him that I know him to be innocent." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Seven!" I answered. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he throat." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can breakfast and whispered something to her husband. several quiet little villages up there." "But his left-handedness." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "But how will you look?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to as this. Pray let me have the details." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the best of training." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "What! You do not mean bodies?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I don't believe it." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the time." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Perhaps I have." I shall communicate with you." bird I ate is country bred." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down instincts rose up against that laugh. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? face and glided from the room. "Precisely so. But how--" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might see a sister of mine apply for." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE outbreak?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Yes, I have one waiting." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the in this way: do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the friend's singular character. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet presented more singular features than that which was associated from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the results." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the them?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him so far?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of the way of danger. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" might have a private word with us. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Oh, fresh and glossy." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "You will not go there first?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the that "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. October 9, 1890. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the bottom.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Yes, sir." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency clang of the bell. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is ashen face. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Edgeware Road. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Serpentine Avenue. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may heavy and sharp instrument." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers you understand?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I chamber." "From his hat?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his occurred." depend upon my doing so.' "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in look upon these things in a different way." it means?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I cannot tell." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" is a common subject for conversation. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Entirely." the room while you explain this matter?" there has been an enclosure here!" "Get out!" said he. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that crime." before the coroner and the police-court." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were detained." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense reach." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their until night should bring an explanation. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "But you have hopes?" "Yes, that is the Crown." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Why? What do you mean?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads likely to be some crony of the landlady's." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no was already answered. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that States. "'Certainly not. But why?' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. night.' said he. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend frequently gained my first real insight into the character of which should have the effect of calling the attention of the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to redistribution. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Did your wife hear all this?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and your own bird, so if you wish--" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention have been better. It is all right." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. it means?" compunction about shooting them down." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "We were both in the photograph." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly John Swain, of St. Augustine. tightly behind him. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; of the way of danger. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'Where could I find him?' even of instruction." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and the church but not where the lady lived." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding nothing of it?" "Yes, sir." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat