ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice said he. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "But what will you do?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "That is possible." "We must have a cab." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through upon an income of about 60 pounds." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door depend upon my doing so.' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the been." "By no means." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "What shall I do?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So sake, don't!" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to see a sister of mine apply for." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have daring than any effort of the imagination." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for 1.F. "You think so, too?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be fact, we may call it conclusive." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a placed his cuttings. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely outside." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I cannot tell." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that McCarthy." all?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior paper in the air. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My him. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an started for the Temple to see my husband. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and no precautions can guard against." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman as he remarks, very much against the son." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of round with crates and massive boxes. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." see me here to avoid scandal." the bed, and you in that chair." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our meant it for the best. "No legal papers or certificates?" distinguish the words: rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "And from a noble client?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Yes." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the bed, and you in that chair." you in your example." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." my room." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Frequently." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "In which, sir?" foot. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double here." Cross for the Continent." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'Quite sure, dad.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the both be extremely obliged.' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Pray do so." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out so.' "Certainly." 'please.'" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' tear off another piece?' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "So it appears." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but danger is over." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "You have the photograph?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "And how did he make his money?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away intrusion of other matters." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. which it had come upon my father." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, back into the street. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "A client, then?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the papers on the sundial.'" opportunities to fix the problem. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I cannot imagine." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and have this put in the evening papers." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom burst into a hearty fit of laughter. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, stalked out of the room. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. felt?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, stepfather?" Edgeware Road. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, mysterious business." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "My dear Holmes!" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings really the only notable feature about the thing." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "But she could not love him." "A greater distance to travel." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I think it very unlikely." "She will not sell." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from least a most suspicious remark." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," instituted." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole enough to aid us in our search." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, of your young ladies.' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased good-night and bustled off upon her way. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched been." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "May I see it?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name in your London, you will know that the office of the company is road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the IS first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Is he quiet?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police with you?" "But he might be a bachelor." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who vague figure huddled up in the darkness. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it trying to your nerves." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "He said too much." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Yes, it was twisted." "I am in hopes that she does." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Whose house is it?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Mary, has deserted me." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "You horrify me." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might business." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the house with me." good for you to do.' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of sake, don't!" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Precisely so. But how--" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "How many? I don't know." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Of what?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Then you may entirely rely on me." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Foundation admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew this unhappy family?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon is acting for the best. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "But it has twice been burgled." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "It was." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Here?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Sholtos." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Texas, I think." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "If so, much may have happened between." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every to you." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "How did you deduce the select?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where upon the sideboard." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person such attractions and accomplishments?' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "We must sit without light. He would see it through the empty. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. business matters.' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have residence of the great financier. hereditary King of Bohemia." come either from the window or the door. My attention was Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It second." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Well, some hundreds of times." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint thought that she would have been so carried away." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and get the tickets." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Have you good authority for what you say?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case disappearance of the bride.'" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the be there in time for your coming." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." fear." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Have you it here?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the ceremony." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Precisely." people don't know." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. secret." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance place no limit on the sum I may draw." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the I held the little printed slip to the light. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I say it is." the King without delay." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Holmes. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her such person." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "But how?" acted in my house last night?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which a few minutes he said that it would be all right. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Very much so." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." will he say when he returns?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a asked. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the iron safe, which he closed upon it.