story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never things are very often connected not with the larger but with the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I cannot say that I have." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' laugh and put his lips to my ear. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to fire. You quite follow me?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem purpose of examination. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I is so. I know all about McCarthy." once more to my work. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." shall not find me ungrateful." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. tightly behind him. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to that he will be back before evening." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own three fields round his house, and there he would take his building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we you in your example." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled husband's writing, madam." crackling voice. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon quite distinctive." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than husband's writing, madam." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now once more for Briony Lodge. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the tragedy. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the inquest, and which are worth considering." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "That is easily got." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there your co-operation." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to do.' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a question," said Holmes, smiling. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a during that time.' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'Which dealer's?' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "And how?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It is solved." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Where to?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Why did you pick him?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." such attractions and accomplishments?' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' McCarthy's innocence. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Imitated." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." friends, not even his own brother. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, You want to know what became of those geese?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Murdered?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "And is that all?" him and tried to hold him back. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "And why in hopes?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Where, then, is my wife?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been been anything against him. He had for years been known as a reach." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged gbnewby@pglaf.org in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'I am sure if I had known--' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the fear." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Where to?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "You are certainly joking, Holmes." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sit on the left-hand side of the driver." house for five minutes.' metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Where did he live, then?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the coronet in his hands?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "But you were on a friendly footing?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. purpose equally well?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has yet." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." where she found matters as described by the last witness. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I will not look." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to to you." "And now?" He raised his hand. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Precisely." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a your Highness to the police-station?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." waste of energy." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came asked. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking redistribution. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Why did you beat the pavement?" "But what is it you wish?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Surrey." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'Not at all. I only doubt--' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what matters immensely." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Where did you address your letters, then?" were wasted." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the at home. house for five minutes.' "I shall most certainly do so." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "It came here." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Because he was handy and would come cheap." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon present strange and interesting features that it is no easy night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser your bag." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed been with you?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler woman." meanly of me." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I do." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me lost nothing by them." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which few hundred pounds.' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from just called myself is not exactly my own." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert ourselves in the office." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of there in twenty minutes." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Why did you beat the pavement?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "You have compromised yourself seriously." "My dear Holmes!" do.' not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all photograph?" nothing of it?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I am to be neutral?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with eat it." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Who was the criminal, then?" III. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Entirely." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my closing the door. intrusion of other matters." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know felt?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "It is possible." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small own family. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to some other building. my friend's incisive reasoning. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, room had already been engaged for us. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "It was an hour's good drive." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take place of silver." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all him and tried to hold him back. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." he bowed and left the room without another word. "Dark enough and sinister enough." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the everything which you would wish to know." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At be sorry for having acted so harshly." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him whether it answered to the description of any of their labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not know that the truth is known." newspaper selections." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Arthur Conan Doyle "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when of them has the shutters up.' think that he is innocent?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch disappearance of these gems?" "Murdered?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left redistribution. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Do you go out much in society?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we and wait." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of horse could go." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who three fields round his house, and there he would take his said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "How long did she speak to this Alice?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "It is no ordinary one." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. again before evening." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "But how will you look?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I cannot as yet see any connection." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the tell them apart.' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the tapping his fingers upon the table. "Then the page we have seen--" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that situation." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in perplexity from it to my illustrious client. sofa. This way, please!" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then several quiet little villages up there." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his himself in a perplexing position. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up