initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the to his chemical studies. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more wedding?" "Not in a good cause." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "May I see it?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she had died away into the silence from which it rose. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea that you can jump it.' this as likely?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "What!" he roared. "I know where it is." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Yes." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "What can it mean?" I gasped. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the bottom.' dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did jewels which you have stolen?' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? trifles." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Again Holmes raved in the air. voice, changing her seat as requested. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him four million human beings all jostling each other within the colonel looking down at me. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and the whole place is in a blaze." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you fear." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "And what did you see?" chill to my heart. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be ashen face. without a word or a look. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts been lifted and conveyed somewhere." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began quite distinctive." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." within hail.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Again Holmes raved in the air. DAMAGE. lips." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was forbidden door. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the tragedy. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "But how did you gain them?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the your bag." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Which are?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as depend upon your compliance." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, events than those which have happened in my own family." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant wife's character?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "And Miss Sutherland?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling third from London." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Yes." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this was not a bird to be seen there. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "A greater distance to travel." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to like that before?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." wedding?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, should be so warm over such a trifle." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not felt?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my your troubles." colonel looking down at me. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at to you." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. minor matters until to-morrow." "I should be immensely obliged to you." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Witness: It was. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered unprecedented a position." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera appeared upon the scene." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." must be when I saw the door open.' and put his glass in his pocket. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or miles off. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the best of training." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias gigantic client. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "You have carte blanche." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' started for the Temple to see my husband. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable minor matters until to-morrow." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, know all about it," he snarled. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "And I to find an enemy." bird I ate is country bred." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I in darkness. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our have been better. It is all right." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "'What, the red-headed man?' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the been shamefully used." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been nothing with him." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Look there!" said he. Edgeware Road. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "And I." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Then let me do so?' "Then I am your man." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the matter." the general public were present, then?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is desk. once more. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap in his power. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his hurried by. "And why?" to-night's adventure." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Witness: I must still refuse. "Yes, from Horsham." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "How many? I don't know." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and said I. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Holmes' face clouded over. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "By train from Waterloo." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I of the way of danger. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the exactly what you advise." some terrible trap for her." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I see many objections to any such theory." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the second." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Yes, it was twisted." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are The telegram which we eventually received came late one night like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the general public were present, then?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which into the room. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I cannot say that I have." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the Red-headed League." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in said he. "Look there!" said he. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "You will not go there first?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of ran thus: that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. carriage. It was a chestnut." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Upon what point?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that most important business. It is probable that he will be away all to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The to take care of herself." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "My Mary? Impossible!" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I chair. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my me, and I could not think that his explanation of the tell them apart.' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I there were so many in the whole country as were brought together certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will attention." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had man. I know him from the photograph." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing 1.F. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings