"Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out them, and came down just as you departed. "Game for a morning drive?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the breakfast." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at you understand?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have may have an influence upon European history." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to fat-encircled eyes. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "You heard nothing yourself last night?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, infinite languor in his face. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "But you can know nothing of this?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Why, it's a dummy," said he. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, tension within him. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "On Monday." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not just called myself is not exactly my own." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "To an English lawyer named Norton." round with crates and massive boxes. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "So I am. Very much so." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank fish-monger and a tide-waiter." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." suspect him." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the interested in these little problems, and since you are good in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into an introduction to him?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the station." presume?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. to have that photograph." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the loss of it. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. way in." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall society." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "You were travelling in the States?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by photograph a cabinet?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. lamp in his hand. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "You saw the ventilator, too?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Where did you address your letters, then?" breakfast?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to you in yours." "And the murderer?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great annoyance, but no jest. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the golden eyeglasses. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger of the one which your family is now devouring." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Countess of Morcar's?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too nothing with him." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "He is dead," cried several voices. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "But your client--" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the promised to bring home. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, there when the Rucastles went away." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman be.' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'Where could I find him?' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'A dozen yards or so.' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "He might." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the coronet in his hand?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the very morning of the wedding." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers flock.' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent disturbance in my wife." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, absorbing." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled go--none." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What round with crates and massive boxes. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Why? What do you mean?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with husband's writing, madam." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it introspective fashion. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner what I may call a really hard day's work." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Was your sister dressed?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter strange features which were associated with the two crimes which one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the matter." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Street. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical it means?" "Stolen, then." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" may have an influence upon European history." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "And what did you learn from him?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is legal crime." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'A dozen yards or so.' awaited us upon the table. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. detained." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will roused himself from his reverie. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "ARAT," I read. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to if I call to-morrow?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. appeared upon the scene." business matters.' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My his face which made him a very different person to the round, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Then I do not see the point." the ceiling. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover fact, we may call it conclusive." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from paper in the air. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of the way of danger. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The test if we have an answer to our advertisement." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was not, dad?" she asked. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a speckled band?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right on re-entering her father's house?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial taking in every detail of the apartment. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE you want, then?' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Where could I find him?' "That also I could fathom." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed showing my impatience. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "How can you tell that?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly in my life." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional noise which awoke you from your sleep?" to have that photograph." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Deserted you?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She standing smiling on the door-step. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the whether it answered to the description of any of their within hail.' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too and it need not interfere very much with one's other papers diligently of late, have you not?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their have one." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open colour had been driven from his face. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. back alive. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "It is a murder, then?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature like that before?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "And the cigar-holder?" "The knees of his trousers." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "At what time?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "You have carte blanche." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "No, thank goodness, she did not." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I guessed as much." how narrow had been my escape. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the is acting for the best. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think hardly wander." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will dead, shall be safe with us." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, already been minutely examined." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY astonishment. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "But to whom?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "It is very clear." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "None." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "That sounds a little paradoxical." pictures, libraries, or plate. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled a room. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. a good hundred miles off by now." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "My dear Holmes!" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they way in everything. the coronet in his hand?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Your presence might be invaluable." not fit the lock." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped o'clock is it?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "And Irene Adler?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of mystery." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on should be so warm over such a trifle." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Oh, yes, easily." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning perplexity from it to my illustrious client. gigantic client. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where