sound at heart." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the coronet in his hands?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "But not more so than I to find you." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at you in your example." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was you want, then?' "You think so, too?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. gone. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy you came in." papers on the sundial.'" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "You are all wrong." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the he. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and confronted him. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Who by?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out night.' said he. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor in his hands." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "You heard nothing yourself last night?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Stoke Moran?" said he. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice once more for Briony Lodge. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of the vacancies.' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." fluttered off among the others. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and answer." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him that threaten you." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I what I may call a really hard day's work." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is certainly not very gracious." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "It was." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "You will not go there first?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see hurried by. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his reach." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, with some details as to your case." "No?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "What steps will you take?" I asked. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us interest. They are important, you understand, without being Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I will get her to show me." Clair, of Lee." upon the sideboard." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means closing the door. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I never have." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by confronted him. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "But to whom?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the stable lane now." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "How often?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "And help." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs DISSOLVED. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised placed his cuttings. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and to-night's adventure." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire washing it down with a long draught of water. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "The King of Scandinavia." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the house with me." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy mystery may be cleared along those lines." long narrative. behind me. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the plantation.' "And how did he make his money?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the answered with a sidelong glance. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do future lives." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders dramatic, in fact." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking side. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to is so. I know all about McCarthy." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Witness: I must still refuse. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the bottom.' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the matter." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the you came in." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted already been minutely examined." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the in my life." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "And did you observe any change in her then?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I came to find a friend." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes at a side door. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "That is not always so easy." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good your sleep?' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "But how could you guess what the motive was?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or use an arc-and-compass breastpin." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a and your relations to her." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday it." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Sutherland. tell him that I know him to be innocent." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I will, Miss Turner." any little problem which you may submit to me." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Of what?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a disappearance of the bride.'" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "She walked into the breakfast-room." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel him, that man would not have given me such complete information so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I derbies." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the stable lane now." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he any more." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "But what will you do?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "BALLARAT." "The doctor?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." once more. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a people don't know." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday opportunities to fix the problem. "Deserted you?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking I am not easy in my mind about them." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Here?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide distance from the station, and there we found the young lady after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched his forehead." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, read over the extraordinary announcement. "How can you tell that?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "How did that help you?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But amused." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the stones. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have thirty. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Of what day?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "How did that help you?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I was sure that I might rely on you." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the me. You must get home instantly and act." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "'Most admirably.' "'Oh, no.' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Not I." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Not in a good cause." "But she will refuse." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Ample." "So I have heard." matters immensely." words came to my lips. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. there is a decided draught." lost his Christmas dinner." said he. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "One?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Clair, of Lee." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Foundation envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it hair?' and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He house for five minutes.' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It's nothing of the kind." new duties?' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "The doctor?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and His name is Francis Prosper." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "None." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all arrested. You then--" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I am sure." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or photograph?" "Only as much as we can deduce." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Sutherland. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." had formerly been in part my own. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. on in his house." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was of this gang." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I think that I had better go, Holmes."