was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in few hundred pounds.' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, was a loud and authoritative tap. all that?" within hail.' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Perhaps I have." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One over his head with a sweet womanly caress. name is different." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself him!" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped strong and stiff." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "And how did you find out?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no lost his Christmas dinner." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon trying to your nerves." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to closing the door. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Lee, in the county of Kent." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I saw her in conversation with her maid." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not is acting for the best. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End became a certainty. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the just called myself is not exactly my own." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in one or two places in England?' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a was lame." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his colonel looking down at me. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "No, finished." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." present." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "At what time?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" spare." "Here?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little infinite languor in his face. results." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Yes, certainly." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." attention." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I province." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I never have." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I cannot tell." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken throat." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Well, some hundreds of times." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock compunction about shooting them down." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the late!' first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "When did it break out?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who pressing in one house as in another. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who to-night?" I asked. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "This photograph!" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the station." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Why, what do you mean?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can likely to be some crony of the landlady's." a good hundred miles off by now." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "And who is her maid?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "And what did you see?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished sufficient punishment." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'Certainly,' I answered. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood joking. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Does that suggest anything?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said said I. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. tell them apart.' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy detective. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it future lives." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face father's place of business?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and effective." "He is dead," cried several voices. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated entirely lost his self-respect." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and to take care of herself." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "And that is--" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked be sorry for having acted so harshly." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "You are hungry," I remarked. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their such attractions and accomplishments?' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a may have an influence upon European history." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which will he say when he returns?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Dr. Gregory B. Newby "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Ha! you find it so?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I make me his representative both with the servants and with the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the so.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. union?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and promised to bring home. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I have my revolver," said I. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him matter over." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be voice, changing her seat as requested. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "No?" roused himself from his reverie. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been for the market.' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing was used.' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now tapping his fingers upon the table. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Never." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell I think that I could be of assistance to you." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I British peeress.'" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of written. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "In what way?" asked Holmes. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her perplexity from it to my illustrious client. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I suddenly upon us." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "No." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet You want to know what became of those geese?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off morning." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment just called myself is not exactly my own." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or beg that you will break it off." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Pray do so." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Quite so." Clair, of Lee." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really had this final quarrel? at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. question. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or I nodded again. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Thank you. And your address?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an next day. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to chill to my heart. man. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands right! Sit down and let us talk it over." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is as yours." lamp. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As It may be so in this case, also." II. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a interests were the same as his." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is of the efforts of the United States government and of the better of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I have seen the police." him and tried to hold him back. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for your only hope of safety." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "It's nothing of the kind." bachelor.' son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "But she could not love him." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "He said that you could solve anything." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "About a month then." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our and the church but not where the lady lived." such person." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with sake, don't!" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, have accepted such a situation. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and time." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which his face. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in served to weaken the effect. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'Yes, sir.' "Have you her photograph?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "How did you trace it, then?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been me what he had done with the three missing stones. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was least a most suspicious remark." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each to change my dress. "'Yes, sir.' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a what these perils are?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Here?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Frequently." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me."