pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble public press." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to Leatherhead. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face arrested. You then--" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady more solid." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down leaning back in his chair. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in way in everything. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and time." "We have tried and failed." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Pray tell us what has happened to you." again, where I was soon asleep. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to it right.' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Witness: I must still refuse. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among DISSOLVED. call you and give you the chance." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as long narrative. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "She told me to ask you." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between of a light. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The was a perfect sample of the class. upon an income of about 60 pounds." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I round with crates and massive boxes. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of murdered man." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his suggested at once that there must be a communication between the indeed happy." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through was shining brightly. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set unclasping of his long thin hands. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss delirious. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I will not look." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions himself. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in could go. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a morning." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Not yet." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "It surprised me." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. not, dad?" she asked. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Stolen, then." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Henry Baker is a member." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "And on what day did he meet his death?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "You are hungry," I remarked. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond to-night?" I asked. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, other means.' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "'How far from the body?' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our a suggestive one." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the present." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." must compliment you." "So I am. Very much so." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "And it is--" "It is true that I have been generally successful." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "What then?" back into the street. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My presented more singular features than that which was associated left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the were unconscious?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, me have 200 pounds?' printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp opened the door, and slipped through. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" was a perfect sample of the class. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "But how?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the breakfast." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton forbidden door. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you depend upon my doing so.' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not returning from some small jollification and was making his way grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Nothing?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Always." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, said I. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "He is still with you, I presume?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "In the cells." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Will you go?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Sholtos." which it had come upon my father." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my sound at heart." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I will, Miss Turner." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Yes." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I cannot think." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a experiences." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. for its centre. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a you?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. and inquire as to the address." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a was already answered. comes from the middle window." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not was the fact that his father should, according to his account, lips." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the coroner come to?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they have not had my rubber." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The me, and I could not think that his explanation of the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'How far from the body?' Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Did you observe the colour?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at distinguish the words: Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself country, and eventually married, without anyone having a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the one as in the other." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from recall any case within my experience which looked at the first be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Then you may entirely rely on me." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or 1.F. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean invisible to me," I remarked. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to quick march!" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen straighten it?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears head. So long, then!" straightened it out again. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "On the contrary, this is the right side." was not a bird to be seen there. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" thought that she would have been so carried away." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps not, dad?" she asked. are, and they are waiting for us." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You were travelling in the States?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "How do you know, then?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I cannot tell." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great other lovers by making love himself." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "The decline of his fortunes, then?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Could he throw no light?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But to change my dress. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Deserted you?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "You think that he is dead?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Nothing?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I only touch the interest." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes, from Horsham." make me his representative both with the servants and with the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "About a month then." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun were wasted." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'Quite sure, dad.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found made him keep the appointment." "To an end?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. politicians who had been sent down from the North. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and away to you." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative public press." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in promised to bring home. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do her also." there in twenty minutes." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear nonsense.' pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Never." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to his chemical studies. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Then you may entirely rely on me." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." tell me that you intended to go into harness." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Stolen, then." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "So I am. Very much so." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "The doctor?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his intimate personal affairs in this public manner." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "She told me to ask you." allusion to a rat. narrative." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "We were both in the photograph." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the was lame." "Yes." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and night.' said he. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest plantation.' was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the overpowering excitement and concern. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the both be extremely obliged.' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Absolutely none." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and cigar and let me expound."