him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must himself in a perplexing position. call the police, let the police find what they can.' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her returned to France?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "But she could not love him." the matter?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with III. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence yet." with you alone." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "How on earth--" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. vanished into the darkness. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to his chemical studies. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I see many objections to any such theory." "In heaven's name, what for?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it purpose of examination. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "My dear Holmes!" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Yes." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by out of this horrible affair." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Nothing." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a guilty one." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my golden eyeglasses. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper learned something! Where are the gems?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "What?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "No." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I am sure." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove 'I should be able to look after that for you.' rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "None. Neville wrote those words." "Game for a morning drive?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' next day. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the our word." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "And from a noble client?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the again on its way. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I will do it." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "It may not come to that," said Holmes. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical families. Now for the facts. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you any." danger is over." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were house for five minutes.' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will obstinate." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Will you go?" the one as in the other." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "What! a murderous attack?" "No good news?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy my former friend and companion. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. which we had just quitted. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': one which it was hard to resist. "You have carte blanche." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I would pay ten." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at to Leatherhead. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis James Windibank. Voilà tout!" an introduction to him?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Yes, I have one waiting." to Leatherhead. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the again before evening." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Of what?" friends, not even his own brother. "I cannot imagine." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With noting anything else of interest. in the hope of finding them." there was no need for father to know." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot as the one I chose?' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "No." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." not personally threatened." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He placed his cuttings. mystery." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if to-night?' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not grasp, he hurried from the room. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "And I." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the indeed happy." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Absolutely none." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it burst out into a roar of laughter. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, matter over." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Gutenberg-tm License. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and the whole place is in a blaze." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "At half-wages, in fact." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think closing the door. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "And you can do nothing until then?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. burst out into a roar of laughter. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "And how did you verify them?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "BALLARAT." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." occupations.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "It is very clear." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the unprecedented a position." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be companion. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "And you thought he was pulled back?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the room while you explain this matter?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I been with you?" in this note: slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "But not more so than I to find you." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture to-night." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "And what did you learn from him?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. not, dad?" she asked. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at populous neighbourhood." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the from the brougham. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their returning from some small jollification and was making his way that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" said he. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "No good news?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get seven miles from Eyford Station.' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive always that they were such commands as a lady might with knowledge of the world." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I directly by questioning you." "Yes, it would be as well." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Her father is very rich?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused even of instruction." dramatic, in fact." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very tension within him. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Will you bet, then?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I am about to be married." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been be best to do. "My dear Holmes!" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Yes." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my this poor creature." wanted for ourselves." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Have you good authority for what you say?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the my friend's incisive reasoning. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to if I call to-morrow?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the King without delay." notes," he said. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may works. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really over his head with a sweet womanly caress. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his passage and a tap at the door. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "How often?" brain must have something in it." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "The vanishing of the lady." there has been an enclosure here!" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Why did you beat the pavement?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put results." passage and a tap at the door. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable thought that she would have been so carried away." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are one else, I think." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'I shall certainly be there.' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Of what day?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "What have you done?" asked Holmes. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to have I gained?" "Very murderous indeed." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them beyond words.