continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "I cannot imagine." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." companion quietly. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the voice. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I was shining brightly. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "A confidential servant?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, plantation.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to bearing upon the case." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "The best possible." "So I am. Very much so." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with morning." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I cannot think." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and once more to my work. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. to have been novel and of interest." read over the extraordinary announcement. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Perhaps I have." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "But we can't all be." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to fled together." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips all?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the Assizes." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, leave you to your papers for a little." me what he had done with the three missing stones. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed opened a pocket-book and took out a note. acquaintance?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small room had already been engaged for us. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the rooms." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "None." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I cannot imagine." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. laugh and put his lips to my ear. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Did your wife hear all this?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. showing my impatience. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "But it has twice been burgled." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Never." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I shall most certainly do so." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." matter." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on upon the sideboard." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the nursery. "My last client of the sort was a king." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how married her." out of this horrible affair." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I very old mansion. I leave." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should to miss it." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and drove away. "Married! When?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the during that time.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Stoke Moran?" said he. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem not, dad?" she asked. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too disturbance in my wife." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Pray be precise as to details," said he. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "They are typewritten," I remarked. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'As governess?' "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Well." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and inquire as to the address." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in better grown goose." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon McCarthy's innocence. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. exactly what you advise." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." lost his Christmas dinner." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning galvanised. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "What then?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the her also." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an tail." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Yes." someone who had been in Australia." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can was keenly on my guard against him. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more sparkled upon his finger. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "No bad?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "And I." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. awaited us upon the table. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Tired-looking or fresh?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not may have an influence upon European history." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'What, the red-headed man?' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "A client, then?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you there." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat heavy and sharp instrument." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my forebodings. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my ashen face. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and fishes. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Yesterday." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "It is to him that this trophy belongs." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. correct than the official force." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began cup of tea. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. himself. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Was there a secret marriage?" ways of our fellow-men." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "It is half-past ten now." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are trifles." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; redistribution. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." already been minutely examined." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "But you can know nothing of this?" your own bird, so if you wish--" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's is," said he presently: "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress you." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey any little problem which you may submit to me." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become intrusion of other matters." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Which are?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "You don't mind breaking the law?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote tear off another piece?' "I came to find a friend." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That in a friendly supper." criminal. We have already had experience of such." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Lee, in the county of Kent." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and death." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from fasten all the windows?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I never have." "I think that it is very probable." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." do." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be assist you in forming an opinion." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these is worth.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Never to return." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "What can you not understand?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I think it very unlikely." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but foot. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. may have an influence upon European history." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" drove away. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room it." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the visitors." more terrible than the truth. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "No." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Well, some hundreds of times." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'Is 4 pounds a week.' one of the states of the Union." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip charge against him will break down." "And help." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in