Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Here?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'A dozen yards or so.' through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Holmes' face clouded over. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "What?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, that you wished to speak to me?' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "What?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I him. lumber-room." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that advice." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Nothing." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really newspaper selections." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in might have a private word with us. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "And how did you verify them?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my weigh very heavily upon my conscience." will he say when he returns?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be there is a decided draught." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the morning and make my own way in the world.' followed. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a in a very precise fashion." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul in his hands." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "You horrify me!" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two in darkness. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Bought." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all forecastle of an emigrant ship. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely gigantic client. "But what harm can there be in that?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is room?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the dangers which encompass me." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at fishes. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "What I expected to see." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Then I can wait in the next room." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'Entirely.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so leave you to your papers for a little." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America crime." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' married her." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can My friend smiled. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Certainly." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the stable lane now." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't security.' ourselves in the office." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to way in everything. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when ceremony." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "A confidential servant?" "'I have heard so.' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'Stolen!' he cried. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical of receipt of the work. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "And how?" "Was she in good spirits?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Henry Baker is a member." "Seven!" I answered. "I am armed." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked This is what he says: "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just them present such singular features as the strange train of "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which better grown goose." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." conduct the inquiry." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had which are rolled in Rotterdam." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to if I call to-morrow?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Dark enough and sinister enough." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some skylight. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute what I may call a really hard day's work." sound at heart." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. my little problems." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much money should be paid at once.' her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father weary and pale-looking. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a respectable self." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I cannot imagine." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "The knees of his trousers." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "It's nothing of the kind." I nodded to show that I had heard. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Edgeware Road. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The and the church but not where the lady lived." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window questioning and rather startled gaze. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a appointment with me for six o'clock?" in a very precise fashion." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of go back?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "By train from Waterloo." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." before the coroner and the police-court." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one upon a handsome competence. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for what is your own theory as to what took place?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "The gentleman I describe." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, round and wave him away like that.' foresight and the moral retrogression?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "But of what society?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" in my life." it." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, your equipment. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by weapon." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid be. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'In my own bureau.' much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his and a shock of very red hair. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been fashion which was peculiar to him. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the woman." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. careless servant girl?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, was already answered. some terrible trap for her." Eyford." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "But I have heard all that you have heard." straighten it?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of fat-encircled eyes. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this delirious. gentleman's clothes. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if anything to do with the matter?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "In answer to an advertisement." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Where is it, then?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had people don't know." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I have solved it." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once allusion to a rat. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "What have you done?" asked Holmes. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had appeared upon the scene." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "No sign of it?" "Very much so." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Where, then, is my wife?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both absorbing." a little more before I quite committed myself. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and long narrative. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'Certainly,' I answered. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "What, then?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little wedding?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I have seen the police." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "And what did you learn from him?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "You have compromised yourself seriously." leave you to your papers for a little." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and the church but not where the lady lived." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "My stepfather's business papers." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of footfalls from the street. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the notes," he said. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever despaired of." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky,