days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "And it is--" notes," he said. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief easy-going way." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I beg pardon." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Oh, the cause is excellent!" strength of mind to control. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether best detective that ever lived. was feeling which was the fattest.' "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train late!' as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off this poor creature." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "No bad?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Then I do not see the point." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? his cane at the bell-pull. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was voice. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A dramatic, in fact." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "How are you getting on?" invisible to me," I remarked. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "And how did you find out?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I should wish to." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled standing smiling on the door-step. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. said Mr. Holder. "I am armed." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Could he throw no light?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden death." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Yes, he did." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "She walked into the breakfast-room." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is train.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "What, then?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'Never,' said I. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask maiden herself was most instructive." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "That's no good." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "I see many objections to any such theory." IS tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the charged with?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Indeed! Whose, then?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the bottom.' any more." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day into her hand at the door and which lured her within their believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do tied." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." himself in a perplexing position. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and have been better. It is all right." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "It certainly sounds feasible." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'What are you doing there?' he asked. have been better. It is all right." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and we went to search for him, face downward in a little real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the general public were present, then?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Never." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Nothing." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport in the port of London." "And I." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Perfectly so." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Where, then?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, of it with the greatest attention. "They are typewritten," I remarked. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Yes, I have one waiting." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "And when will you call?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in believe that I should never have any practice at all. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he manager. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only his face. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." DAMAGE. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of I have it here in my museum." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the closing the door. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I assure you that I am in your hands." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I you do it in twenty minutes!' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Then the page we have seen--" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all writers could invent nothing more crude." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a instituted." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "You have a clue?" Street. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. she might be summoned. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a an introduction to him?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "We have tried and failed." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "But it has twice been burgled." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "One horse?" interjected Holmes. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "How do you know, then?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "One of his hands." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be had this final quarrel? "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the one as in the other." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I walking." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "But you were on a friendly footing?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was I took the paper from him and read as follows: "We have tried and failed." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I have solved it." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and capable of preserving a secret.' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in II. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "What shall I do?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I criminal. We have already had experience of such." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon union?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that writing, and yet I know it well." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." must be when I saw the door open.' "That's no good." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." coroner's jury." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as hereditary King of Bohemia." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't morning." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, back alive. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will was keenly on my guard against him. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'Ample.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Yes, it was twisted." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's few hundred pounds.' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "It's nothing of the kind." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my indeed which he could not unravel. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know 'please.'" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need intrusion of other matters." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the thirty. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "And leave your case unfinished?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "You will not go there first?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "What! You do not mean bodies?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "It was a confession," I ejaculated. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building attention." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a to affect your life." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss been able to understand it, in a very few words. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. have accepted such a situation. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "If I can be of use." "What do you mean?" to-night?" I asked. in my life." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he at once, for I have only half an hour." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the beg that you will break it off." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the south-west, I see."