written. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, grasp, he hurried from the room. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you desk. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, wife's character?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, few hundred pounds.' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "None." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "How did you deduce the select?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" DISSOLVED. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Nothing." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Pray be precise as to details," said he. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Thank you. Pray proceed." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what him to go away.' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I am about to be married." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. minor matters until to-morrow." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my any more." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late detained." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his nothing of it?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "What! a murderous attack?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Yes." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'Most admirably.' Cross for the Continent." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a friends, not even his own brother. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, bare slabs of marble. "On your arm?" "Pray do so." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert to surprise her." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your out." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Doctor, of the paper and the date." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Very truly yours, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "A thing like a cleaver," said he. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "A confidential servant?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really once more. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an keep the flames under. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the your equipment. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. unclasping of his long thin hands. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week over here." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. enough to aid us in our search." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'And the work?' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Well?" light and attacked it." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." in the port of London." my former friend and companion. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the tragedy. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for should be taken.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with question. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and enter into my head. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Yes?" this poor creature." my secret was safe in his possession. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical such attractions and accomplishments?' your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided orange pips. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. have been better. It is all right." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently my room." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in already referred to. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be man. "He said too much." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "There is the writing." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were made his money." several quiet little villages up there." have an American origin." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was then?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California of them has the shutters up.' glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child charge against him will break down." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Countess of Morcar's?" so.' "You horrify me!" away to you." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our cheerful." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Why did you pick him?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Your sister is dead, then?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and him to be an active member of the medical profession." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I cannot think." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser John Swain, of St. Augustine. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Certainly." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE seven miles from Eyford Station.' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up how narrow had been my escape. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "What! Had he lost his wife?" "And your mother is alive?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. as this. Pray let me have the details." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand to-morrow." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project until night should bring an explanation. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. you?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "So I am. Very much so." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize husband's writing, madam." to some other building. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, you." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. said I. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "How on earth--" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and case-book, which he consulted. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real will be renamed. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Have you it here?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and prosperity to your house. Good-night." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Your sister is dead, then?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Never.' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "But how?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she maiden herself was most instructive." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when questionable one." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Holmes' face clouded over. wanted for ourselves." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it but preventing her from injuring another. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." with the outside air!" DAMAGE. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for once more to my work. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "But what will you do?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Mrs. Toller serenely. even of instruction." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that begin with, and I had not got mine yet." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than had died away into the silence from which it rose. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "His face fell immediately. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them distinguish the words: feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor nice household for a young lady." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "And sit in the dark?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "This concluded the examination of the witness." horse could go." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "None." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the not as remarkable as your advertisement." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Certainly." know that the truth is known." "'You cannot say what it was?' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Was the window open?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the very morning of the wedding." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate face and glided from the room. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of any." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Ample." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. with you?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst pierced for earrings?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and mystery." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "And what then?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by drawing your inferences." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." sneer upon his pale face. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, fait accompli?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year shall use the carriage to-night." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth