who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If once more on the important position which you have been fortunate open." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. time." "No." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three habit of advancing money.' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "But how did you gain them?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one business." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'About the same.' "Yes, certainly." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Come in!" said he. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed train.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "And why?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private this unhappy family?" to a more successful conclusion." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is all-comprehensive glances. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I from the brougham. strong and stiff." other lovers by making love himself." house for five minutes.' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little views." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the back into the street. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could characteristics, but those are the more obvious." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge made his money." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no key of the affair now." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor what is your own theory as to what took place?" that, and I came down." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Pray do so." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "It is possible." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. your own bird, so if you wish--" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see see me here to avoid scandal." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the his wife has ceased to love him." the matter?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf cigars in their mouths. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having too. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She me what he had done with the three missing stones. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was for securing the situation." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and it need not interfere very much with one's other as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from it. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "What do you make of that, Watson?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing that threaten you." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "What! a murderous attack?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Quite so. She has her freedom." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "There is the writing." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and looked back. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such answer." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." answered with a sidelong glance. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I plantation.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and really the only notable feature about the thing." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the your Highness to the police-station?" "Certainly." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Eh? What was that?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as rooms." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of of Fenchurch Street." "No." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the Red-headed League." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang galvanised. room?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a cost them two and thirty pounds." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should better grown goose." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the who was a member of your goose club." Mrs. Toller serenely. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it door?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. away to you." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I have my revolver," said I. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. and capable of preserving a secret.' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything gone before you can get him to hospital." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Then what has happened to him?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining prisoner's face. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. his huge brown hands. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "What office?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may you." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we heavy and sharp instrument." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." some city in a dream. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I was a perfect sample of the class. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "But she will refuse." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Proceed, then." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "And the cigar-holder?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and strength of mind to control. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "No, distinctly professional." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the very morning of my second wedding." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, words came to my lips. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had papers." "And you don't know his address?" said I. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It in his power. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "You think so, too?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' tell them apart.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to were wasted." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, detained." "How did you trace it, then?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Yes, from Horsham." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Pray be precise as to details," said he. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Holmes' thin, eager face. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you good for you to do.' "Witness: Nothing definite. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. guilty one." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. must be when I saw the door open.' to his chemical studies. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I am following you closely," I answered. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Never." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Did your wife hear all this?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Yes." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. pressing in one house as in another. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Yes." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, you, my dear young lady?' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a than to us. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. II. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'It is locked up,' I answered. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand rat could hardly pass through." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely door?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Married! When?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Stolen, then." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the room while you explain this matter?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have geese which you supplied to the Alpha." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so as yours." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Perhaps we may make them less so." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Dr. Gregory B. Newby "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "You think so, too?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "That you are never beaten." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "You will not go there first?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the there was no need for father to know." to his chemical studies. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed weary and pale-looking. "BALLARAT." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this know that the truth is known." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few could gather together that I was able to avert another public "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year words came to my lips.