manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Precisely so. But how--" colour had been driven from his face. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "What then?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'Is purely nominal.' make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Whose house is it?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your where she found matters as described by the last witness. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the stones. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no a monotonous occupation." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Leadenhall Street--and--" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor man. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, was shining brightly. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'It is locked up,' I answered. best detective that ever lived. was a perfect sample of the class. corner of the building. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "It is very kind of you." attention." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the name is different." "It is a murder, then?" may have an influence upon European history." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "So it appears." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, few hundred pounds.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You saw the ventilator, too?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried to a light-house. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I am sure." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather fatally injured? instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "You were travelling in the States?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be clanging. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Why did you pick him?" prisoner's face. main points of my analysis." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I now. It seems that there had been some informality about their we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the child." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't breakfast." in my life." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his call you and give you the chance." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at learned something! Where are the gems?" "'I shall certainly be there.' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "How long did she speak to this Alice?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without eavesdroppers?' you in yours." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Game for a morning drive?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Was there a secret marriage?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, thin legs towards the fire. gone before you can get him to hospital." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup attention." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "When did she vanish, then?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at I was concerned in it." furiously. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "What will you say?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few speckled band?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at use an arc-and-compass breastpin." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess prisoner's face. the coroner come to?" Munro.' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the coronet at all injured?" into the room. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was crime. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. chamber." photograph?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Can I be of assistance?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "What, then, did Peterson do?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with pictures, libraries, or plate. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed there is a decided draught." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. affair. vault. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been which was all perfectly true. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform him nearly every evening." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean himself. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that cigars in the box." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such individual and becomes the badge of a society." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the questionable one." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the friend's singular character. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'And the work?' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk door?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Yes." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached friends, not even his own brother. "You forget that I know nothing about it." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced like gravel from a pit.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Here?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY bell. Holmes whistled. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm over with notes and figures. go back?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either is now desirous of getting those letters back." said he. amused." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "No." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return in his power. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no be.' closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his figure." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came once more to my work. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the behind me. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. tightly behind him. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the character. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was where we are going." down. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of nice household for a young lady." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you character. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Now, then, what's the last entry?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the upon the sideboard." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Pray be precise as to details," said he. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I think it very unlikely." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears an introduction to him?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, in a friendly supper." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold I think that I could be of assistance to you." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" o'clock is it?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle breakfast?" invisible to me," I remarked. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she extraordinary contortions. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a him to go away.' late." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have better grown goose." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Yes, all." "Yes, it would be as well." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. maiden herself was most instructive." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to interest. They are important, you understand, without being "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a which was all perfectly true. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "There is the writing." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "But you were on a friendly footing?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and you in yours." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Seven!" I answered. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon she might be summoned. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." this as likely?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." she used." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, if I call to-morrow?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as what is your own theory as to what took place?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I promise," said Holmes. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without are windows in it, of course?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, populous neighbourhood." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who points to suicide?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another is a common subject for conversation. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in as the one I chose?' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I say that I have solved it." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without where Mr. Fordham shows you.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who do.' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "How did that help you?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be my room." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under