and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the against a man in the prime of life?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of case-book, which he consulted. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. not come at once?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the matter?" disappearance of the bride.'" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the stones. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." his grey eyes. Eyford." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "My dear Holmes!" thirty. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to fashion which was peculiar to him. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "What will you do, then?" a good hundred miles off by now." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Thank you. And your address?" charge against him will break down." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Where, then?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Then he might have called to you?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in is a common subject for conversation. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom he died? near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, of a light. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that events than those which have happened in my own family." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' results." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of colour had been driven from his face. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right and no precautions can guard against." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about as he folded up the epistle. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the certainly not very gracious." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Very murderous indeed." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the coronet in his hands?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You think so, too?" "Yes, he did." "No, my brougham is waiting." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Yes, it was twisted." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to how narrow had been my escape. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "May I see it?" residence of the great financier. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "He slept on the premises." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring murdered man." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was and capable of preserving a secret.' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "It surprised me." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows are windows in it, of course?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'Stolen!' he cried. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Lestrade of Scotland Yard." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Yes." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at unprecedented a position." "No, I had a dozen." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "If I can be of use." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door wife's character?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "But what will you do?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk putting in the horse. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was did not hear it also.' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and glanced through. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to straightened it out again. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, 11:15.' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you off." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is into the bag, and made for the door. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor a suggestive one." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. observed. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which London for the present?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you was a perfect sample of the class. "It surprised me." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. several quiet little villages up there." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the morning." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls me." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' stalked out of the room. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of points in connection with it which never have been, and probably anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been photograph?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "How did you deduce the select?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Not particularly." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable unprofitable." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded have got?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many geese which you supplied to the Alpha." one of them." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very like gravel from a pit.' them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely of the vacancies.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the guilty one." "Where, then, is my wife?" outsides of the windows. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Edgeware Road. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "None. Neville wrote those words." locked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to papers diligently of late, have you not?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Foundation girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is habit of advancing money.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down touch that coronet?' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. whatever might befall. night.' said he. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Yes?" overpowering excitement and concern. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he there." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come second window is the one that I jumped from." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same then?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin for the market.' to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the there has been an enclosure here!" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." voice. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. key of the affair now." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." which was all perfectly true. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between fasten all the windows?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, face and glided from the room. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. at my own good fortune. "By all means." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Where, then?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that matter." London for the present?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking photograph?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "No sign of it?" charge against him will break down." started for the Temple to see my husband. Edgeware Road. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "That is not always so easy." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon My friend smiled. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in morning." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the tragedy. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching a little more before I quite committed myself. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "What I expected to see." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' spare." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had on in his house." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the ceiling. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy shoulder; "he's all right." before, for it was considerably after midnight. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and you do it in twenty minutes!' stood on the top of it. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the side-table." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a you." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "In San Francisco, a year ago." It may be so in this case, also." it." "Quite so." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Of Friday, June 19th." ventilator." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet jewels which you have stolen?' "What, then?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was his knees, staring into the fire. quite distinctive." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I