James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a imbecility!" he cried. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of giving me time to thank him. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy outsides of the windows. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. asked. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "But what is it you wish?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the general public were present, then?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several be best to do. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Street. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have forbidden door. depend upon my doing so.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical promised to bring home. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured I nodded to show that I had heard. "By train from Waterloo." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds as yours." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "No, but the enclosure is." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down flock.' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. down. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Certainly, madam." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society them, and came down just as you departed. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. McCarthy's innocence. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "It was an hour's good drive." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands appeal." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she exactly what you advise." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Again Holmes raved in the air. know that the truth is known." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a already been minutely examined." washing it down with a long draught of water. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might this as likely?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London hair?' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Do you know him?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with arrangements." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread derbies." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a outside. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Precisely." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. but preventing her from injuring another. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and capable of preserving a secret.' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "But what will you do?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "And how in the world did you find them?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to that open window." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Yes." placed his cuttings. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some over part of the map. "What do you read?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been considering the formidable letters which were received by himself professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "But of what society?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Henry Baker is a member." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold keep the flames under. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is jewels which you have stolen?' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a we went to search for him, face downward in a little his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "My opinion is in no way altered." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "My last client of the sort was a king." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "He is dead," cried several voices. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the inquest, and which are worth considering." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. remarked. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had I think that I could be of assistance to you." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that writing, and yet I know it well." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the touch that coronet?' houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to advice." "Never." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Never." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to where he stood hid behind the curtain. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a sofa. This way, please!" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "It was." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "But his left-handedness." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of became a certainty. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This read over the extraordinary announcement. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a you." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a is a common subject for conversation. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the roots. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "But how?" to that open window." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Witness: I must still refuse. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than there." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Why did you beat the pavement?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And for present expenses?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm have had none more fantastic than this." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Nothing." very old mansion. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Watson," he said cordially. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "The decline of his fortunes, then?" wedding?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "To an end?" "My photograph." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Absolutely none." went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Stolen!' he cried. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass awaited us upon the table. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "And how did you verify them?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "And what did you see?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for one which it was hard to resist. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "How are you getting on?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's had this final quarrel? digesting their breakfasts at home." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "But not more so than I to find you." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, it with his own hands." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the house for five minutes.' Mrs. Toller serenely. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "The best possible." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "There is the writing." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out hereditary King of Bohemia." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." plantation.' hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door depend upon my doing so.' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. sound at heart." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'It is locked up,' I answered. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say leave you to your papers for a little." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known you want, then?' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of someone who had been in Australia." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'Ten to two.' "What can you not understand?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would rat could hardly pass through." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a written. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "But it has twice been burgled." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted people in all walks of life. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those have established a very serious case against the son of the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "He is still with you, I presume?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a key turn in the lock." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last already referred to. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'You cannot say what it was?' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back this Miss Turner." rooms." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "The gentleman I describe." chance." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'As governess?' determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "That also I could fathom." stood on the top of it. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed went to the Alpha were town bred." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I am about to be married." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Doctor, of the paper and the date." "And now?" I asked. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "9th. McCauley cleared. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed DISSOLVED. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and your bag." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no is so. I know all about McCarthy." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your with you alone." man. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the nursery. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Lee, in the county of Kent." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it child?' that there was nothing in it, after all." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy likely to be some crony of the landlady's." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my cause to be." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon arrested. You then--" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This only touch the interest." "But his left-handedness." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread in a friendly supper." see me here to avoid scandal." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I am to be neutral?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?"