one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Where does the thing come from?' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to affect your life." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Can I be of assistance?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, experiences." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Certainly." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "How did he come?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I that I can to serve you." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six you do it in twenty minutes!' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken highroad, where all traces were lost. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Perfectly so." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." window when the police appeared." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for open." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of see a sister of mine apply for." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'As governess?' likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "A greater distance to travel." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "My private note-paper." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "What will you say?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through know all about it," he snarled. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the colonel looking down at me. up this clue while it is still hot." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, and inquire as to the address." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, over here." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Yes." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was get her out of the way." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock IS I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the to me. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of mystery." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "That you are never beaten." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. and wait." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being one else, I think." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "What I expected to see." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'Stolen!' he cried. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but footfalls from the street. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." hair?' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "None. Neville wrote those words." voice, changing her seat as requested. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, as the one I chose?' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment nonsense.' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I which are rolled in Rotterdam." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it absorbing." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of to-morrow." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at me where it went to?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who tapping his fingers upon the table. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Yes." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry invisible to me," I remarked. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. nonsense.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Do you go out much in society?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in leaning back in his chair. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "But we can't all be." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "But you have hopes?" purpose of examination. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" hair?' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Only as much as we can deduce." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I am still in the dark." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered indiscretion." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Well." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door strong reason behind." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that once more to my work. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe relation between them, and what the object of his repeated reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without here and I will read it to you: home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our future lives." face and glided from the room. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled six. Come in!" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door jewels which you have stolen?' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I guessed as much." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man 'please.'" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought spark where all is dark to me." purpose of examination. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't kind enough to tell me what I should do." what I may call a really hard day's work." off." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe to-night?' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while despaired of." be sorry for having acted so harshly." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. recover the gem." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Do you know him?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his be sorry for having acted so harshly." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The in the dead of the night?' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "What then?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Yes, all." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I was mad--insane." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "And from a noble client?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it key turn in the lock." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Oh, the cause is excellent!" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you wedding?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told in a very precise fashion." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe heavily into it. I am not easy in my mind about them." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "That is not always so easy." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Why did you beat the pavement?" and no precautions can guard against." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' morning." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Seven!" I answered. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Dark enough and sinister enough." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a at my remark. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Was he the only applicant?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, him to be an active member of the medical profession." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Precisely." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" comes from the middle window." mystery may be cleared along those lines." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a when you have done it." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the and glanced through. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. know what is wrong with it.' recall any case within my experience which looked at the first heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the that threaten you." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, me upon any point which I do not make clear." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I cannot think." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves along the entire front of the house, with three long windows doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: stepfather?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. constraint." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Leadenhall Street--and--" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the matter." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been were wasted." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. together. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself carried out of court." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade married her." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I My friend smiled. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Eyford." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you ready to-morrow?' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard asked. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a any little problem which you may submit to me." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was in a friendly supper." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went one else, I think." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'Yes, it was gone.' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "When did she vanish, then?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell infinite languor in his face. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had very morning of my second wedding." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the little opening for the ventilator is." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the secret." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a upon the sideboard." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are call you and give you the chance." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it II. and all of them with the keenest interest. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to your room." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already was keenly on my guard against him. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the chance." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "What shall I do?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you