shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "The doctor?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here coroner's jury." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, upon a handsome competence. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "It's nothing of the kind." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but if only as a check to my own memory." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she annoyance, but no jest. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran standing smiling on the door-step. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Pope's Court. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" do.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the inner apartment." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I have my revolver," said I. "'And the work?' "What then?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, as he folded up the epistle. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "None." London for the present?" For additional contact information: What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Was your sister dressed?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "But to whom?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to Leatherhead. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near letters?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it walking." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a into the bag, and made for the door. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked tightly behind him. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "What then?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Then the page we have seen--" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the me upon any point which I do not make clear." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before asked. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right conduct the inquiry." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms furiously. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before strong reason behind." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and effective." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about this truth that in these little records of our cases which you armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden your bag." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was written. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that he bowed and left the room without another word. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was McCarthy." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Cross for the Continent." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course nothing with him." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had felt?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of window when the police appeared." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he in this note: shoulder; "he's all right." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "But you were on a friendly footing?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "And Miss Sutherland?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. awaited us upon the table. developed." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "But your client--" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of awaited us upon the table. feature." name is different." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always writers could invent nothing more crude." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "By no means." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by to miss it." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'Where to?' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Witness: Nothing definite. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Thank you. And your address?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "And what did you see?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a of it with the greatest attention. in this way: the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "And how did you find out?" him." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a disappearance of these gems?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Stolen, then." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "No, I had a dozen." this poor creature." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left excitement. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend touch that coronet?' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the salesman. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the train.' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "And on what day did he meet his death?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a girl said." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson happened." "And why?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I cannot tell." woman." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he have not had my rubber." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'What, the red-headed man?' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Quite so." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "That sounds a little paradoxical." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, ventilator." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, within hail.' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added grasp, he hurried from the room. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "I am all attention, madam." "Yes." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to papers on the sundial.'" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "But how will you look?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was footfalls from the street. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An carriage. It was a chestnut." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I promise," said Holmes. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we hands. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." you." the window, rose as we entered. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in too. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Who by?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the union?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last most interesting one." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman a suggestive one." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at better in every way that they should make their position a little comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, writers could invent nothing more crude." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have intrusion of other matters." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from business." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "That's no good." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Eh? What was that?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. is," said he presently: during the last few years, and there are many noble families to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the and glanced through. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have was a perfect sample of the class. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose because she had spent so short a time in this country that she weapon." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the driver. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. had died away into the silence from which it rose. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Well." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "No, finished." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, and effective." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Entirely." "'Stolen!' he cried. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the date of his supposed suicide." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I cannot think." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be upon the shelf for the interim." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I saw her in conversation with her maid." remarked. head. So long, then!" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "But how did you gain them?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Very. But will he see it?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I cannot imagine." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole it right.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give upon the shelf for the interim." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "This photograph!" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get that the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, putting in the horse. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me business?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Certainly." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "So I have heard." about here speaks of his kindness to him." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a answered with a sidelong glance. "And why?" Does that suggest anything?" you." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or distance from the station, and there we found the young lady