letters?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Never." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door wedding?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "So I heard. You have him here?" take the flies, but not before." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Was your sister dressed?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my may never be exposed to such a temptation." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it next day. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Street. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'What would be the hours?' I asked. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "BALLARAT." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "And why?" indeed happy." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the case before our client came into the room." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of place no limit on the sum I may draw." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I shall most certainly do so." companion. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "We must have a cab." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. out of this horrible affair." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate became a certainty. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "You did not overhear what they said?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "ARAT," I read. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which likely to be some crony of the landlady's." friend's singular character. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "BALLARAT." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage matter." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the window, rose as we entered. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Yes, at the mines." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'Then let me do so?' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and that, and I came down." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug wedding?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At should be so warm over such a trifle." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "The knees of his trousers." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "What! Had he lost his wife?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now with her." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what second window is the one that I jumped from." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn my special province." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." putting in the horse. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their late!' to his chemical studies. asked with his eyes open. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that you wished to speak to me?' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "And I." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "To the police?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case least a fellow-countryman. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Have you it here?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front despair." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "In San Francisco, a year ago." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police eat it." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" house for five minutes.' her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "And I." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who followed. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "But the mystery?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day do you make of it all?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "How on earth--" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Tired-looking or fresh?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. yourselves in at night?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I am still in the dark." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." said he. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "My own seal." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, nonsense.' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your someone who had been in Australia." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, people don't know." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'Certainly not.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the warnings." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Entirely." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'Yes.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted particular state visit http://pglaf.org editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is such person." "May I see it?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person bearing upon the case." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," helping a boy to put up the shutters. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, as he folded up the epistle. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial conduct the inquiry." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "You think that he is dead?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "What!" he roared. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "And what then?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Witness: Nothing definite. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two McCarthy's innocence. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "The rest you will leave in our hands." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Entirely." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "One horse?" interjected Holmes. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the house with me." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly placed his cuttings. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the cup of tea. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Not him." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "My own seal." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "That sounds a little paradoxical." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! that I am arrested." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with note?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'Never.' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous past. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I what these perils are?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." not come at once?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in The events in question occurred in the early days of my I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" within hail.' all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "No." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "How many? I don't know." "But not more so than I to find you." the little opening for the ventilator is." to surprise her." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you do." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Oh, yes, easily." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most question," said Holmes, smiling. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "No, finished." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." himself. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple thin legs towards the fire. "Frequently." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "You will not go there first?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's bill, which interests me deeply." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been relief. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way them present such singular features as the strange train of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money