"'Then let me do so?' gone before you can get him to hospital." empty. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar it." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your his face. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and of the way of danger. on in his house." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and glanced through. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary present." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "By train from Waterloo." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT you came in." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, as noiselessly as she had come. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I think that it is very probable." hour." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune 1.F. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired pressing in one house as in another. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I see many objections to any such theory." "That's no good." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Ah!" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "But what will you do?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. you do it in twenty minutes!' strode off upon his way. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Then, as to money?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you one's self under obligations.' locked. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "The vanishing of the lady." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own good-night and bustled off upon her way. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the running down." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "About a month then." his eyes and forehead. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the bed, and you in that chair." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without carried out of court." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid written, and locked the door of the office after me. in a friendly supper." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as carpenter." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "How did that help you?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. over here." ran thus: more terrible than the truth. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'I am sure that I do not know.' 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Countess of Morcar's?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "But it has twice been burgled." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria minor matters until to-morrow." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think at once, for I have only half an hour." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man tear off another piece?' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." his knees, staring into the fire. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Precisely." not as remarkable as your advertisement." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the very morning of the wedding." so far?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "The Coroner: What do you mean? child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips I have it here in my museum." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Your French gold?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He of this gang." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently with her." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. get her out of the way." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not along the entire front of the house, with three long windows point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting that there was nothing in it, after all." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "If I can be of use." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who vanished into the darkness. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have matters immensely." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' felt the room to be a little close.' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "There is the writing." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two here and I will read it to you: about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in use an arc-and-compass breastpin." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." voice, changing her seat as requested. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the matter?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "And how?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, infinite languor in his face. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in and your relations to her." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" whole matter to your consideration." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." father's place of business?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round be best to do. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name subject to the trademark license, especially commercial set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I will, Miss Turner." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Surrey." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the it means?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I cannot think." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Then I can wait in the next room." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you girl said." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "None." ceremony." ran thus: black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary was already answered. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I have solved it." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester clanging. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I have seen the police." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "In heaven's name, what for?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "What of the rat, then?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." think, you have already met." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "On Monday." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Here?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the arrangements." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, desk. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "My private note-paper." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, deduce something from that?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but straightened it out again. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, this poor creature." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa prison!" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Dirty?" cigars in their mouths. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Foundation his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Then he might have called to you?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "But he might be a bachelor." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly I nodded to show that I had heard. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. becomes even more simple." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and entirely lost his self-respect." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Stolen, then." him!" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, trifles." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Come in!" said he. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing wife's character?" desk. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Eyford." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it little trying to do so much typewriting?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "A greater distance to travel." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "And the murderer?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the friends, not even his own brother. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution You want to know what became of those geese?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "And what did you see?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." cost them two and thirty pounds." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my them, and came down just as you departed. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old what do you think they found in the pockets?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Dr. Becher's." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, yet." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. hand, madam?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Breckinridge is his name." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the was the fact that his father should, according to his account,