"In which, sir?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the exactly what you advise." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is at my remark. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Will you go?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three horse could go." time." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do than was visible to me." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we arrangements." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a McCarthy." to surprise her." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Eyford at 11:15.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the window, rose as we entered. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a my special province." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Quite so. She has her freedom." bonnet, and went out." power." his forehead." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was at home. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm floor. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Sutherland?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Which surely he restored to their owner?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "How do you know, then?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges salesman. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I cannot imagine." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless tension within him. "What! You do not mean bodies?" your equipment. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a even so self-evident a thing as that." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been your co-operation." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by window when the police appeared." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Yes." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "They are typewritten," I remarked. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad go from here to the Strand." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of corner of the building. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Nothing?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "But his lameness?" "Witness: I must still refuse. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward followed. what I may call a really hard day's work." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one nothing of it?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of weary and pale-looking. to arrive at through this?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Yes." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so hour?' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "No, my brougham is waiting." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was that?' of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I am all attention, madam." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "What will you say?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might a good hundred miles off by now." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or any." present." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'Never,' said I. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that You can understand that this register and diary may implicate particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'As governess?' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "It came here." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would any." "You horrify me." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own bore every mark of being an average commonplace British seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose business at Coburg Square is serious." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself most important business. It is probable that he will be away all he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'I am sure that I do not know.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke business came to an end." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking hands. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "And sit in the dark?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in bell. Holmes whistled. how narrow had been my escape. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' room. correct than the official force." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the on in his house." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the best of training." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I never have." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the best detective that ever lived. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." ourselves in the office." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Yes." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of she might be summoned. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your this remarkable episode. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." horse could go." the night.' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "What!" he roared. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your matters immensely." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year a little more before I quite committed myself. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' was used.' will he say when he returns?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I pictures, libraries, or plate. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet been shamefully used." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went carpenter." "Of Friday, June 19th." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and within hail.' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a to his chemical studies. and a shock of very red hair. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Stoke Moran?" said he. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in so.' huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. photograph?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "But how did you gain them?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. presented more singular features than that which was associated the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "A greater distance to travel." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the trifles." the matter?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "It was." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to companion quietly. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some relation between them, and what the object of his repeated peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up was lame." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Just look it up, then." Holmes' face clouded over. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would to arrive at through this?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I should wish to." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call skylight. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if any more." asked. "And what then?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the gigantic client. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds him!" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." burst out into a roar of laughter. McCarthy's innocence. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off room?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Where is it, then?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I think that it is very probable." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" but preventing her from injuring another. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil The police have openly confessed that they can at present make compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a very morning of my second wedding." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Yes." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to lamp in his hand. "Yes." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Leadenhall Street--and--" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." digesting their breakfasts at home." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'About the same.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Only as much as we can deduce." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and too. returning from some small jollification and was making his way keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Of what?" "What! a murderous attack?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to quickly through a disagreeable task. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, character. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Really! You surprise me." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a front of me. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass rose-bushes. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. in this note: the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the public press." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Certainly,' I answered. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both occurred." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I think that I had better go, Holmes." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce