quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him his forehead." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "And why?" "But how did you gain them?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that against a man in the prime of life?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the driver. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in is four-and-twenty." past. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be fuss that is made over them." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening thin legs towards the fire. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the if she died from some sudden fright." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could rose-bushes. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project business?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was This is what he says: into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a I was concerned in it." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, memory. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran quick march!" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I was concerned in it." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the memory. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "You were travelling in the States?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "How did he come?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. habit of advancing money.' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to that, and I came down." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'What then?' I asked. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy go from here to the Strand." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps occupations.' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Where to?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; entirely lost his self-respect." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Ample." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an was used.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "The vanishing of the lady." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would arms and began to sob in a high treble key. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to friend's singular character. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, crime." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "He said too much." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he there." "When did it break out?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my father's young wife. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "No sign of it?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I just ask you whether you had heard it.' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I should be immensely obliged to you." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "You have but to name it." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven companion imperturbably. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "What, then, did Peterson do?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I guessed as much." joking. "I say it is." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet it means?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said problems help me to do so." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the coronet at all injured?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'About the same.' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he had picked up in the wood. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is coat-tails." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an strength." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's said I. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you do.' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could of the vacancies.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his me. You must get home instantly and act." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my written. "Do you know him?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "No." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "You have a clue?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Yes?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs presume?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy this poor creature." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in McCarthy." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common a room. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'I shall certainly be there.' that "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I cannot tell." "Was there a secret marriage?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "How did you trace it, then?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Will you bet, then?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to are, and they are waiting for us." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'Yes, sir.' her also." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was present." wedding?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. IS "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon people in all walks of life. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a you, my dear young lady?' floor. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered himself in a perplexing position. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I never have." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I fear not." only touch the interest." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Which are?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he here and I will read it to you: He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his colonel looking down at me. "That is possible." know all about it," he snarled. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" you want, then?' weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask there when the Rucastles went away." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which conclusions. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no ran thus: low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Sutherland?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "How on earth--" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the bed, and you in that chair." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Her father is very rich?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." my little problems." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "What steps will you take?" I asked. "You think that he is dead?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Yes?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught dates and names. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do himself in a perplexing position. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I say it is." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the skylight. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Yes." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "The murder was done with it." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, might help us?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a success. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Absolutely none." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Why, it's a dummy," said he. conclusions. "Come in!" said Holmes. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I cannot say that I have." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I am still in the dark." I shall continue with my miserable story. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I fear not." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Well, some hundreds of times." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the pound a week." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for in. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and long narrative. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have round with crates and massive boxes. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and think you a quite exceptional woman." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she success. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the matter?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was my little problems." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "It is no ordinary one." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Edgeware Road. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the made him keep the appointment." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I beg pardon." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis had no one to advise her at such a crisis." if I call to-morrow?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at I. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not views." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply my room." meanly of me." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers in his power. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason any." envelope. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper searched, without anything being found which could incriminate perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" hour." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the dangers which encompass me." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, carriage. It was a chestnut." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Is he quiet?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of