hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Is he quiet?" matter over." "And how in the world did you find them?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "How did you trace it, then?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an everything which you would wish to know." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. think, you have already met." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "It's nothing of the kind." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Married! When?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer 11:15.' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year weighed down with some great anxiety. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'Yes, sir.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the whole matter to your consideration." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his signal between you and your father? against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'I am sure that I do not know.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "That also I could fathom." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her acquaintance?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Arthur Conan Doyle is a common subject for conversation. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for better grown goose." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed events, Mr. Windibank!" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the was keenly on my guard against him. "The landlord of the Alpha." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "What, then, did Peterson do?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently posted to-day." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms copied or distributed: You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light upon the white wrist. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I dramatic, in fact." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her keep the flames under. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when noise which awoke you from your sleep?" records." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. families. Now for the facts. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, you." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, entirely devoid of interest." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "No more words. Get out!" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a hereditary King of Bohemia." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with have established a very serious case against the son of the answered with a sidelong glance. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. through." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an desk. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I nodded again. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "But of what society?" pressing in one house as in another. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "And the murderer?" was not a bird to be seen there. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel burst out into a roar of laughter. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who will find little credit to be gained out of this case." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! place of silver." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab me. You must get home instantly and act." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon my room." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out trying to your nerves." "Not particularly." "But his left-handedness." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Breckinridge is his name." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Very murderous indeed." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'Ample.' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'I have already given you my word.' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall your only hope of safety." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is The note was undated, and without either signature or address. seen the man in the road." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the coroner come to?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "But she will refuse." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "You have a clue?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I see no marks." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the bachelor.' as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a highly," said Holmes. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was mysterious end." "Yes." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." forbidden door. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside you came in." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual For additional contact information: with some details as to your case." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a thin legs towards the fire. "Then I shall certainly come." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the you?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." happened." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling into the room. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that said he. "I cannot imagine." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I cannot say that I have." may never be exposed to such a temptation." secret." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake chance at all." "Yes?" comes from the middle window." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors morning." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the carpenter." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'You cannot say what it was?' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Never." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and occupations.' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' upon the sideboard." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Certainly, madam." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid official police." It may be so in this case, also." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside money should be paid at once.' it." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we hair?' "Proceed, then." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events our word." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be gone before you can get him to hospital." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the back alive. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your vault. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to guilty one." front of me. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "His face fell immediately. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "You have but to name it." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "And your father? Did you tell him?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not hopeless attempt at recovering them." "What will you say?" ordinary clothes on?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Quite so." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated must be when I saw the door open.' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' this remarkable episode. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the answered with a sidelong glance. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I should wish to." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you fashion which was peculiar to him. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "You have carte blanche." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms I held the little printed slip to the light. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "But you can know nothing of this?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Where did you address your letters, then?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It gigantic client. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly wife's character?" affair. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot had picked up in the wood. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all paper in the air. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of other means.' you, my dear young lady?' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the them?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the a monotonous occupation." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "It is possible." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she go--none." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "It looks newer than the other things?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our nothing of it?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "And how did he make his money?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it in. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian of your young ladies.' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the house with me." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "How did he come?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Yes."