of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. lamp in his hand. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "No, thank goodness, she did not." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "You were travelling in the States?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Where did you address your letters, then?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of call you and give you the chance." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'How far from the body?' "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert been shamefully used." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical your own bird, so if you wish--" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a awkward doing business with an alias." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and forebodings. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in lamp in his hand. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Precisely so. But how--" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By character. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "And how?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, night.' said he. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from have got?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "But of what society?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I feature." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off in my life." "I will do it." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that said he. happened." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as do you make of it all?" out of this horrible affair." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I should wish to." fattened it expressly for you.' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and soul! here is her carriage at the door." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "And how?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "She told me to ask you." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little keep the flames under. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "No, I am descending." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Holmes' thin, eager face. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Then you may entirely rely on me." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Here?" in this way: money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the sparkled upon his finger. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, this remarkable episode. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night it means?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Of Friday, June 19th." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 lost his Christmas dinner." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Not in a good cause." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his there!' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a pressing in one house as in another. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to generous with you in money matters.' lamp. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'Then let me do so?' "But your client--" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the driver. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my were new raised from a basin. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' depend upon your compliance." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I should be immensely obliged to you." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "He said too much." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly know that the truth is known." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Why? What do you mean?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "You'll never persuade me to believe that." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I never have." the driver. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could your billet.' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet papers on the sundial.'" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and extraordinary contortions. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled out of this horrible affair." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." said I. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much not fit the lock." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside see a sister of mine apply for." "Ah!" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I cannot tell." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "And you thought he was pulled back?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make and effective." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "So I am. Very much so." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I cannot tell." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally clang of the bell. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may helping a boy to put up the shutters. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Here?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." I shall continue with my miserable story. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I been." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as swore that no one else had been in the front room during the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There asked. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in sooner or later she must fall a victim. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular What do you deduce from it?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'What then?' I asked. "I think that it is very probable." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and likely to be some crony of the landlady's." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "But who is he?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "How did you deduce the select?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the appeared upon the scene." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where remarked. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his my friend's incisive reasoning. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I have a cab outside." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that our word." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as which are rolled in Rotterdam." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still have been better. It is all right." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'Oh, no.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter wanted for ourselves." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "And how in the world did you find them?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Nothing?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here waste of energy." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "The Cedars?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Stolen." Munro.' people don't know." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Pray do so." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little mysterious business." but preventing her from injuring another. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "What will you say?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a your only hope of safety." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "No, I think that I'll take it." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go only touch the interest." showing my impatience. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying second." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." papers must be those that are destroyed.' made him keep the appointment." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "So it appears." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "In which, sir?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "No." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'Ample.' held up the lantern and gazed about him. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." status with the IRS. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked province." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, had picked up in the wood. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds sake, don't!" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have me what he had done with the three missing stones. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and foresight and the moral retrogression?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "But I have heard all that you have heard." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I was afraid that you were engaged." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the night.' went to the Alpha were town bred." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, notes," he said. "How did you trace it, then?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in formed some opinion?" so.' I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so orange pips. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied it." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" dear old homesteads?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for may have an influence upon European history." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "She showed me, as I told you she would." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be case before our client came into the room." "The rest you will leave in our hands." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped What do you deduce from it?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, careless servant girl?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the pictures, libraries, or plate. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "There is the writing." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet me where it went to?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "In heaven's name, what for?"