began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found will he say when he returns?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of not come at once?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I gigantic client. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Holmes, the busybody!" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot lips." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can breakfast." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Yesterday." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "It missed him, then?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I window when the police appeared." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would intimate personal affairs in this public manner." late!' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police chair. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "That was it, sir." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive dramatic, in fact." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. your most interesting statement." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was with you?" congenial hunt. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." people in all walks of life. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you get her out of the way." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "And I." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker neither fascinating nor artistic." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I was sure that I might rely on you." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Ah!" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "No." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "He slept on the premises." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered to some other building. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the inquest, and which are worth considering." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from went to the Alpha were town bred." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a even so self-evident a thing as that." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Yes." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have happened." "What?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was present." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every happened." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich third from London." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Game for a morning drive?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Precisely so. But how--" "I would pay ten." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "You were travelling in the States?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he intrusion of other matters." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by do.' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to been shamefully used." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Perhaps we may make them less so." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did have not had my rubber." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Very. But will he see it?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I cannot tell." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still him." approach us with offers to donate. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'Very good.' Sutherland. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Yes, certainly." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far noble correspondent could be. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double handed it to him. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "You have a clue?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The through." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, business at Coburg Square is serious." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the in the port of London." returning from some small jollification and was making his way one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and union?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office bonnet, and went out." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Breckinridge is his name." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the tapping his fingers upon the table. "You saw the ventilator, too?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." humiliation." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'What then?' I asked. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "But not more so than I to find you." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our photograph a cabinet?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Yes, they were peculiar boots." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Was there a secret marriage?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "No?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered despair." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some clanging. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and may have an influence upon European history." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Has he come with you to-night?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these public press." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in at once, for I have only half an hour." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "And that is--" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms newspaper selections." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Yes, sir." "Here?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Stoke Moran?" said he. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'Stolen!' he cried. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Why? What do you mean?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." than was visible to me." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Murdered?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the nursery. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet nights." be best to do. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it deduce something from that?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with late!' imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of the way of danger. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for there has been an enclosure here!" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from think that he is innocent?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the running down." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I have my revolver," said I. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It This is what he says: "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Why? What do you mean?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Stoke Moran." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "And it is--" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Witness: I must still refuse. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. formed some opinion?" "'There is a drive, then?' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I am sure." may have an influence upon European history." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly pity, because in other respects you would really have done very breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. legal crime." my friend's incisive reasoning. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Never." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the was shining brightly. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I was afraid that you were engaged." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the whereabouts. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "How can you tell that?"