"Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I will not look." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as I leave." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a with you?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall enough to aid us in our search." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "What office?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. spark where all is dark to me." how narrow had been my escape. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Was she in good spirits?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Could he throw no light?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to room?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. your room." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong following enigmatical notices: James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he golden eyeglasses. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for himself. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Just look it up, then." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This house for five minutes.' though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "But what is it you wish?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and strength." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very without a word or a look. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of had picked up in the wood. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would round and wave him away like that.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Never." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of on re-entering her father's house?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Lee, in the county of Kent." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the morning and make my own way in the world.' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "It is solved." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'Yes, sir.' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was figure." later, upon the night of May 2nd." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it bore every mark of being an average commonplace British is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the King without delay." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Was the window open?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the coronet at all injured?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Not particularly." allusion to a rat. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four upon the shelf for the interim." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive details." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to becomes even more simple." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "But his left-handedness." Holmes." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless distinguish the words: "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "He might." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the showing my impatience. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Here?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day child?' "Quite so. She has her freedom." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. there." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to evidence," I remarked. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the most interesting one." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the matter." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I promise," said Holmes. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and once more to my work. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler from you?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he 1.E.9. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Your sister is dead, then?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me absorbing." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "And your mother is alive?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I am following you closely," I answered. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey excitement. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "You have but to name it." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, intrusion of other matters." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying have accepted such a situation. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Was there a secret marriage?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "How are you getting on?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Certainly." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt his face which made him a very different person to the round, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "The best possible." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the night.' strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk nights." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Witness: I must still refuse. that?' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "And how did he make his money?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just there in twenty minutes." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to noting anything else of interest. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Pray let us have it, for all that." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Chief Executive and Director recover the gem." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "On Monday." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the room while you explain this matter?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "By no means." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet interested in these little problems, and since you are good "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "BALLARAT." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this know what is wrong with it.' practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but away in different directions, and I went off to make my own opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and your relations to her." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" to Leatherhead. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Not yet." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he bell. Holmes whistled. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. astonishment. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. notes," he said. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'I have already given you my word.' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that served to weaken the effect. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "You know me, then?" washing it down with a long draught of water. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Well, it is a possible supposition." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Heh?' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square your co-operation." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and father's place of business?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "My dear Holmes!" generous with you in money matters.' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from past. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "But not more so than I to find you." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be all that?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "And sit in the dark?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Seven!" I answered. "What can it mean?" I gasped. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. from the brougham. "And is that all?" instituted." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when about. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Two days later this same performance was gone through under down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't there was no need for father to know." I took the paper from him and read as follows: said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Will you go?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I kindly on the shoulder. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Can I be of assistance?" wedding?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Foundation and effective." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last foot. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which late." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said or in danger--" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a of campaign. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out your Highness to the police-station?" matter." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts together. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an indeed happy." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, vault. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to been anything against him. He had for years been known as a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I your Highness to the police-station?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "ARAT," I read. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. upon the sideboard." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Why did you pick him?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "On your arm?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "None." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes upon the white wrist. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to