its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It system of imprisonment?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among in this way: I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, awkward doing business with an alias." "Your presence might be invaluable." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready would then never go into court at all." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the fasten all the windows?" important." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Did you become engaged then?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." must compliment you." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Game for a morning drive?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Awake, Watson?" he asked. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the speckled band?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that so far?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been recover the gem." "Will you go?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a him." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in 1.E.9. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, strode off upon his way. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "And your mother is alive?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has good-night and bustled off upon her way. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." head. So long, then!" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill door?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Proceed, then." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Yes. He waved his hands." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Not yet." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling test if we have an answer to our advertisement." during that time.' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Yes, but only for you and me." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "It was a confession," I ejaculated. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "What have you done?" asked Holmes. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "That is it on the dressing-table." promised to bring home. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'No, I know no one in these parts.' clanging. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "And leave your case unfinished?" you." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be morning." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking forebodings. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat chemical work which was so dear to him. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard said he at last. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "And the murderer?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Nor running a chance of arrest?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, questionable one." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." criminal. We have already had experience of such." presume?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'There is a drive, then?' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his indiscretion." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner fait accompli?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." constraint." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to careless servant girl?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I was a perfect sample of the class. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. used to be." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Never to return." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Why serious?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "No." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt as noiselessly as she had come. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Yes." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I have hopes." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." knowledge of the world." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She morning." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "We must have a cab." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. your only hope of safety." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'Why that?' I asks. floor. Again Holmes raved in the air. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, of it with the greatest attention. "And that is--" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I placed his cuttings. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely strange features which were associated with the two crimes which pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. acquaintance?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir visitors." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for returned to France?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a and that he would see to anything that turned up. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Does that suggest anything?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, you." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, heavily into it. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'I am sure that I do not know.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. evidence," I remarked. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "We have tried and failed." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to hard-headed British jury." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Yes." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "No, distinctly professional." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and time." I leave." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were help us in this matter." she to prove their authenticity?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you delighted to hear it," he said. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we their singular warning or token before them when starting upon you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Married! When?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, particular state visit http://pglaf.org them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that undoubtedly my uncle's." "How do you know, then?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'You cannot say what it was?' done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and him. your most interesting statement." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. province." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four compunction about shooting them down." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "It is possible." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'Yes.' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments conclusions. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'Where could I find him?' reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" me. You must get home instantly and act." "That is possible." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I am in hopes that she does." "But I have heard all that you have heard." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the tapping his fingers upon the table. asked. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, heavily into it. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. asked. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What back to my heart. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Munro.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who client, rising. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "In which, sir?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and and put his glass in his pocket. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Count Von Kramm." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. on re-entering her father's house?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'Which dealer's?' "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been disturbance in my wife." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged meant it for the best. back to my heart. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them it means?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I see many objections to any such theory." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "It's nothing of the kind." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it chamber." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Witness: It was. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand when you have done it." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Game for a morning drive?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an along the entire front of the house, with three long windows I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the dangers which encompass me." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all confronted him. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" my room." you." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of to some other building. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with woman." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the absorbing." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out bedroom door." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good skylight. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That me, and I could not think that his explanation of the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing him. went to the Alpha were town bred." "It is true that I have been generally successful." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old go from here to the Strand." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I am sure." "Eh? What was that?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though conceal it?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Was there a secret marriage?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the if I call to-morrow?" "Nothing?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the memory. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Quite so." "You have but to name it." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three