served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the matter." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "On Monday." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on in darkness. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "But his left-handedness." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa wanted for ourselves." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining arrested. You then--" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I should wish to." cigars in the box." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a could go. pierced for earrings?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' danger is over." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Two days later this same performance was gone through under of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, I nodded again. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "I cannot say that I have." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Then I can wait in the next room." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "And for present expenses?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to door?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And who is her maid?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the loss of it. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "That was it, sir." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Gutenberg-tm License. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "No." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that noise which awoke you from your sleep?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'Yes, I promise.' bedroom door." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came disappearance of these gems?" I approached. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. generous with you in money matters.' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have extraordinary contortions. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "There is the writing." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this fuss that is made over them." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention newspaper selections." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Quite so. She has her freedom." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Precisely." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both coat-tails." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can sneer upon his pale face. man. "'And the work?' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now people don't know." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange dates and names. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "No." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen presume?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a answer." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the coronet in his hand?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "A client, then?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three jewels which you have stolen?' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly memory. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I imbecility!" he cried. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'And what are they worth?' I asked. tell me that you intended to go into harness." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he man. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Again Holmes raved in the air. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the annoyance, but no jest. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "You know me, then?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Where, then?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, highroad, where all traces were lost. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and effective." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "What! You do not mean bodies?" "A client, then?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I tied." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Then you may entirely rely on me." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with evidence," I remarked. done what I asked you, Jones?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "What will you say?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for wedding?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. For additional contact information: entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly chemical work which was so dear to him. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Not I." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all him to be an active member of the medical profession." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Farm upon the left." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would husband's writing, madam." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Dark enough and sinister enough." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I think that it is very probable." politicians who had been sent down from the North. hurried by. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage unclasping of his long thin hands. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I don't believe it." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son undoubtedly my uncle's." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us introspective fashion. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. both be extremely obliged.' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that forebodings. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great that before taking the final step I should like to submit the highly," said Holmes. open." "You saw the ventilator, too?" page at http://pglaf.org "Yes." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is posted to-day." ran thus: "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Then you may entirely rely on me." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action public press." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the kind enough to tell me what I should do." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six opened a pocket-book and took out a note. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his breakfast and whispered something to her husband. fact, we may call it conclusive." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "He slept on the premises." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "It certainly sounds feasible." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he wife's character?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "One horse?" interjected Holmes. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is formed some opinion?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, introspective fashion. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem whatever might befall. reach." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush husband's writing, madam." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I will get her to show me." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had since then to throw any light upon what became of him." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'Is purely nominal.' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave point our research must commence, and we will begin it by between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the strode off upon his way. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Not particularly." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Breckinridge is his name." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Street. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Surrey." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "You horrify me." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out more terrible than the truth. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, wedding?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the main points of my analysis." "And I say east," said my patient. "We must have a cab." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Serpentine Avenue. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Not him." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "An enemy?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Yes, he did." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you horse could go." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. appointment with me for six o'clock?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Do you go out much in society?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "An enemy?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. into the bag, and made for the door. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with four million human beings all jostling each other within the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." fuss that is made over them." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you examine." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "By no means." unprofitable." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were him, that man would not have given me such complete information telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his families. Now for the facts. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do pressing in one house as in another. of." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, strength of mind to control. Stoke Moran." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. that he will be back before evening." come either from the window or the door. My attention was be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. approach us with offers to donate. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Thank you. And your address?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "That is easily got." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would all?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE since then to throw any light upon what became of him." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the